The Owensville High School (OHS) gymnasium was filled with students to honor our veterans from across the community for their service and sacrifice.
Our ceremony began with a welcome from Ella Adkinson, who later reflected, “I’m proud that our school could come together to recognize the sacrifices of the veterans in our community.” As the audience stood, with quiet respect, Boy Scouts Granite Miles, Eli Shields, and Benjamin Kramer made their way around the gymnasium to present the colors. The OHS band then performed The National Anthem. Caden Ely followed with the Pledge of Allegiance, then the audience was asked to take their seats as the assembly continued.
John Bowman and Tina Medlock, representatives from the local VFW, attended the assembly to recognize the winner of this year’s Voice of Democracy contest. The 2025 winner was Eli Shields. He was rewarded with a blue ribbon, $100, and a certificate in recognition of his achievement. Eli also shared his story with the guests and students of OHS. He later said, “It was a great honor to receive the Voice of Democracy Award and to be a part of the Veterans' Day assembly at the high school. I was the only applicant this year for the essay, which didn't give me a lot of competition, but I am still very grateful for the chance to apply and for winning the award.”
A guest speaker was then introduced, Mark Schaeperkoetter, an OHS alumni and Army veteran who led OHS students to sing our school song.
Two talented students contributed to the assembly by performing on the piano and singing. Braxton Perkins performed “God Bless the USA” and Ashden Murphy performed “American Trilogy Medley.”
The assembly concluded with the playing of the “Service Medley,” which all veterans stood to represent their branch, allowing the audience to honor them each individually for their dedication and service to our country.
