Sho-Ban Jr./Sr. High School pays tribute to veterans with quilts
Honored veterans pictured with quilts they were presented.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School paid tribute to their veteran warriors at a special assembly on Thursday, November 10.
The school was decorated with flags out front to welcome the veterans and a special display board paid respects to their sacrifice. Veterans were also invited to eat lunch with the students and staff.
Sho-Ban Principal Matt Wilson said it was the teachers who initiated the gesture of honoring the veterans who are involved on the school board and on staff. The veterans recognized were Darrel Archuleta, Tinker Perkins, Ernest Wahtomy, Zanita FastHorse-Pongah, Andrew Baldwin, Matt Bates and David Archuleta.
“They really wanted to set something really special for our veterans knowing that all of our Native families have so many ties to military branches,” he explained.
Wilson continued, “Here, as a small community, we have a lot of veterans, veteran families; some of our students that are going to the military, just to let them know they’re recognized. That Veteran’s Day coming up and the Marines birthday, and everything else, we want to make sure that we’re recognizing our Native veterans here and putting them out there and putting them first.”
Sho-Ban High School dance troupe dances while Young Agency drum group sings.
The veterans were honored with handmade quilts donated by Quilts of Valor and organized by Sho-Ban teacher Mrs. Petersen. Each of the quilts were unique and made special for each veteran. Mimi Jones, district coordinator for Quilts of Valor presented the gifts.
Time was also made for veterans to speak to students with many of them encouraging education and talking about opportunities the military has provided for them.
Darrel Archuleta spoke to the students telling them they did a good job with the event. He told them to get their education as it is needed. He encouraged them to be good to one another and treat each other with respect, most of all to treat their school good.
Tinker Perkins spoke about the significance of the United States flag and what it represents emphasizing it should be respected. He told them the military was life changing and taught him a lot.
David Archuleta reminded the students that freedom was not free as veterans have paid for that and some with their lives.
Archuleta said, “As you’re thinking about today, think about the sacrifices that were made for you to have a future.”
The school’s dance troupe also performed in their honor and were accompanied by Young Agency singers. Students and staff round danced with veterans to conclude the event.
