Junior High Students Fund D.C. Trip For Veterans

Team Voyagers at Smith-Cotton Junior High is learning about and making a difference in the lives of Missouri veterans.

For the school’s annual Day of Service, held annually the Friday of Homecoming week, the team discussed veterans and their lasting legacy on the local community and the nation as a whole.

The students and teachers decided to sponsor a local veteran for the Missouri Honor Flight so they can see the World War II memorial and other monuments in Washington, D.C. During seminar classes, Team Voyagers organized a Penny War in hopes of raising $300 to sponsor a veteran. The results exceeded the goal, with a total of $644.46 raised.

Breakdown by class:

Mr. Desmond: $229.66
Mrs. Chancellor: $167.08
Mrs. Privitt: $132.27
Mrs. Poe: $71.03
Mr. Ortbals: $44.42

By more than doubling the goal, Team Voyagers will be able to sponsor two veterans from this area for their flight to the nation’s capital. Teacher Michael Desmond is in contact with the Central Missouri Honor Flight branch; his goal is to get the sponsored veterans to come to the junior high to share their stories with the students.

“I am incredibly proud of the generosity of our students and the tireless effort of our teachers who made this such a success,” Desmond said. “We have a great team here at the junior high.”

In the photo: Smith-Cotton Junior High students on Team Voyagers celebrate
exceeding their Day of Service goal with doughnuts. The team raised $644.46 to sponsor veterans for Missouri Honor Flight.