2017-2018 Gallery
Football Games
The Poquoson High School Islander Marching Band invited the 2017-2018 veterans to stand on the field during the National Anthem.
PHS students enjoy having their veterans see them playing football, cheering, and playing in the band. Likewise, our veterans enjoy spending time in the student section and watching their students' activities.
Then-sophomore Bailey Green (right) was not a participant in the 2017-2018 project, but still wanted to talk to Mr. Orandorff about his service and is now participating in the project during the 2018-2019 school year.
Homecoming Parade
The veterans of Poquoson Veterans Project rode in the 2017 Poquoson Homecoming Parade in Ford Model-T cars, provided by the Williamsburg Model-T Club. Each veteran was given a boutonniere provided by The Flower Shoppe in Poquoson.
Interview Day
On "Interview Day" the participating veterans meet with their students, sharing any parts of their military service they are comfortable with. Some veterans brought artifacts to share with their students, such as maps, pictures, and their own medals.
On the left, Mr. Sebring and his students, Elizabeth and Erin, previously strangers, but shown after two hours of bonding on Interview Day.
Washington, D.C.
Above: Curtis and Mr. Thomas who were paired for the project. Through the project, the pair met and became close, now visiting together after the conclusion of their project year. Their friendship is a testament to the way students and veterans are able to bridge the generation through the project.
Four veterans accompanied students on the field trip to Washington, D.C. in 2017. Students got the opportunity to visit their veterans' memorial with them.
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Brunch
At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, students were dismayed to learn that they would not see their veterans again. They decided to host a brunch for their veterans. Students made and provided all of the food and invited their veterans and a guest. Additionally, the students chose to have the event on an optional day where they did not even have to come to school, yet not one missed the opportunity to meet with their veterans again.
School and Community Events
In addition to football games, veterans are also recognized at other PHS sporting events, including baseball, wrestling, and volleyball. PHS students, including those participating in the project, laid wreaths at a military cemetery in Hampton, VA, as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America campaign. The Poquoson Museum partnered with the Poquoson Veterans Project as part of their "WWI and WWII: America Goes to War" event, inviting veterans and students participating in the project, as well as Mrs. Morrison to speak.