For the fifth consecutive year Memorial Park Elementary School (MPS) hosted a celebration of veterans. This year’s theme was MPS Heroes Challenge: Boot Camp for the Brave. Students, faculty, staff, members of the local legions, veterans from the area and Waterville Residential Care all participated in the school wide event that took place on Nov. 10.
The event combined physical activity with meaningful tributes to honor veterans. Students were able to participate in a boot camp challenge led by Fit Body Boot Camp Clinton Coach, Lisa Briggs. MPS also showcased the “MPS Wall of Heroes” where students and staff members fill out a special form to spotlight a friend or family member that has served or is currently serving. The wall grows every year as more stories of service are shared.
“It was an honor to celebrate our local veterans at MPS,” said Superintendent of Schools Zachary Abbe. “MPS was built in 1960 in memory of members of the Waterville Central School District who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict, and that legacy continues today. The district is proud to recognize and thank all service members for their dedication and sacrifice. The event served as a powerful reminder of our school community’s appreciation for those who have served.”
Leading up to the event, students collected spare change to donate to our local veterans and Feed Our Vets, an organization based in Utica that offers free food distribution to veterans and their families.
“The Positivity Project planning team started this wonderful tradition in 2021 because we wanted to instill the true meaning of Veterans Day to our young students,” said Jody Thomas, special education teacher and Waterville’s Positivity Project ambassador. “We didn’t want it to be just a day they read about. We wanted it to be hands-on, engaging and meaningful.”
The school has a tradition of celebrating Veterans Day with events that have been well attended. In 2021, students and teachers connected with Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) and had their own “Old Glory Relay” in the gym that was modeled after their national Old Glory Relay. Students raised money leading up to the event to donate to Team RWB.
In 2022, the school partnered with Wounded Warriors and did a “Carry Forward” event based on their national event. The school partnered with Clear Path for Veterans in both 2023 and 2024. In 2023, students participated in a “Ride and Run” inspired by the organization’s local race. In 2024, the students and teachers took on an obstacle course as part of the continued collaboration.
