November 13, 2026

Students Show Gratitude During Veterans Day Celebrations

A group of people stands in a school hallway, a veteran wearing a cap.

The Eastport-South Manor School District proudly honored local veterans through a series of Veterans Day celebrations held throughout its schools, recognizing the service and sacrifices of those who have served the country.

On Nov. 12, the Junior-Senior High School held its annual Veterans Day celebration, welcoming local veterans into the building for a special morning of recognition and appreciation. Led by the school’s marching band, the veterans paraded through the hallways as students lined the halls, applauding and cheering to show their gratitude.

Following the parade, veterans gathered in the school library where mingled with students and members of the school community. The morning also featured a special recognition of seventh and eighth grade students who were selected as winners of the Junior High School Veterans Day writing contest. The contest invited participants to write either a poem reflecting on what Veterans Day means to them or a letter to a veteran. The winning students, Olivia Cefaloni, Cayden Hahn, Anabella Marzillier, Layla Paterson, Abby Rodriquez and Aria Wood attended the breakfast and read their entries aloud to the honored guests.

The spirit of appreciation extended throughout the district, as Eastport Elementary School and South Street School also hosted their own Veterans Day celebrations. Both schools welcomed veterans who are family members of students, inviting them to parade through the buildings as students and staff showed their appreciation. The parades were followed by breakfasts, providing additional opportunities for students, families and veterans to connect and celebrate.

Through these meaningful celebrations, Eastport-South Manor students expressed their gratitude, heard from those who have served and recognized the important contributions veterans have made to the nation. The district is grateful to all the veterans who joined its school communities and proudly thanks them for their service.

A group of children stands in front of lockers, holding a thank-you sign for veterans. A group of people stands in a hallway while a person dressed in patriotic attire walks by.

A group of people in uniforms walking down a hallway, with others applauding nearby. A group interacts in an indoor setting with an American flag in the background.

A group walks through a school hallway, with one person waving in a patriotic sweater. A person in military uniform interacts with children in a school hallway near lockers.

A group stands in front of an American flag in a classroom setting. A marching band performs in a school hallway while a crowd watches along the sides.

A group sits around a table covered with a red, white, and blue tablecloth. A group sits at a table decorated with a patriotic tablecloth during a community event.