Half Hollow Hills’ Students Demonstrate Gratitude On Veterans Day

Students, teachers and staff in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District are taking time this Veterans Day to display their gratitude for the men and women who have served in our country’s armed services. Students in the elementary and middle schools have been working on projects to thank veterans for protecting our freedoms, while faculty and staff at Half Hollow Hills High School West have fundraised to support a charity that benefits veterans in need.

Students in Mrs. Martino’s second grade class at Otsego Elementary School were visited by a classmate’s uncle, retired U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Nelson Hidalgo, who spoke to them about the importance of service to our country. Martino’s students prepared many thank you cards that were presented to Hidalgo, who promised to deliver their letters to active members of the United States Armed Services who are currently overseas. First grade students at Vanderbilt Elementary School invited their parents to school to help them write letters to veterans to thank them for their service. In the letters they used key words relating to Veterans Day like ‘freedom’ and ‘brave’ that they had been learning about in class.

At Half Hollow Hills High School West, faculty and staff participated in a Jeans for a Cause fundraiser in honor of Veterans Day that had been submitted by their principal, Dr. Michael Catapano. They raised almost $300 for the GI GO Fund, a nonprofit that helps veterans in need with housing, employment and financial support. “This fundraiser is just a small way to thank and support our veterans for all that they have done to protect us and our freedoms,” said Catapano.

The students at Candlewood Middle School honored their hall monitor, Hank Machold, with cards, letters and pictures that they created to thank him for answering the call to serve. Machold is a veteran and Purple Heart recipient that served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

“Our students and staff carry out so many special projects on Veterans Day to honor and thank those who have served our country and helped protect our freedom,” said Dr. Patrick Harrigan, superintendent of schools for the district. “These efforts highlight the important culture of service learning that we encourage in Half Hollow Hills to help develop leadership and well-rounded young adults.”

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of almost 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.