West Louisville Elementary School and Owensboro High School celebrated Veterans Day with special breakfasts and patriotic performances honoring the nation’s heroes. Both schools also received the Kentucky Purple Star Award, given to schools that show outstanding support for military-connected students and families.
The Kentucky Purple Star Award was initiated by the Department of Behavioral Health and honors schools that provide essential support and resources for students with military connections. This includes students with family members serving in the active-duty military, National Guard, Reserves, or those who are veterans.
According to Brooke Arnold, Director of Prevention Services at River Valley Behavioral Health, the award allows military-connected families to know that their school community recognizes their unique needs and stands ready to help their children succeed academically and emotionally.
“Owensboro High School is actually one of only four schools in our seven-county region that now has this designation and the first high school to pursue it,” Arnold said. “This award recognizes Owensboro High School as a safe place for military-connected families to access resources specific to their needs. It ensures those students feel seen and supported, thanks to the dedication of staff like Ms. Luttrell and Ms. Stewart.”
Both schools had their support of local veterans on full display prior to the recognition. Students were able to eat breakfast with veterans, and they also performed songs and hosted other displays of patriotism.
West Louisville Elementary Principal Nathan Satterly emphasized the importance of the event, which he described as a cherished annual tradition for the school.
“This is our annual Veterans Day program,” Satterly said. “It’s a chance for our school to tell our veterans how much we care about them and appreciate all they did for our country. Our students have been excited all week, creating patriotic artwork and discussing what it means to be an American.”
In preparation for the event, West Louisville’s music teacher Adam Wilson led 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-graders in rehearsals for patriotic songs and speeches. Wilson noted that the students had put in significant effort, practicing daily to make sure their performances would honor local veterans.
“The students have really been working hard,” Wilson said. “They’ve faced challenges along the way, but they’ve persevered because they want to show their appreciation for our veterans. Their performances are their way of saying thank you for the sacrifices veterans have made.”
