Mayfield High School Students Honor Area Veterans

ninth-graders paid tribute to former students who gave their lives for our country at the annual Veterans Memorial Ceremony.

The ceremony, which took place Friday in the auditorium and at the Mayfield High School Veterans Memorial in front of the school, was attended by all ninth-graders. More than 100 guests were invited, including friends and family of alumni who died serving our country.

Freshman class representatives Noemie Chemali, Christina DiFranco, Joe El-Hage, Savannah Florence, Katie Milliken, Niru Muralidharan, Kayleigh Pietrantone, Kirthi Somarouthu, Dominic Turk and Annabella Urdaneta told the backgrounds of the 20 former Mayfield High students who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Students also read essays on "Reflections on Freedom," prepared by members of Mr. Edward Beck's U.S. history class. Ninth-grader Richard Lyall wrote, "Freedom is possible for me and everyone in the United States of America because our countrymen and women who have and still are sacrificing, bleeding and dying for it. I realize that my freedom came with a great price."

Teacher Kevin Niemczura also addressed the audience and thanked students on behalf of a brother serving a third tour in Afghanistan. Students help collect 51 boxes of goods and $300 in postage to send to Niemczura's brother for troops serving overseas.

Niemczura read from a letter he received from his brother this week: "You are touching the lives of thousands of Americans overseas. For this we are grateful."

The ceremony closed with a dedication by the memorial with the Police Department Color Guard. Matthew Sartain, an 11th-grade student, and Stephanie Sartain, a graduate, played Taps.