Veterans, Students Connect at Berkley High School

Students and veterans had the opportunity to connect Friday during Military Appreciation Day at Berkley High School.

Ninth-grade history students did some first-hand learning during the event that teachers Jen Simone, Angie Church, Brittney Vaughn and Megan Blackwell organized. Military Appreciation Day was held in advance of Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 11.

State Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, who spoke about his years in the military, and state Rep. Ellen Cogen-Lipton, D-Huntington Woods, kicked things off with a morning assembly in the auditorium before the kids and vets broke off into groups to talk and share breakfast and lunch.

The BHS Jazz Band, Encore performance group and A cappella choir performed for the visitors.

"This is a great example of real-world, hands-on, community-oriented learning that is the direct result of a great idea followed up by energy, effort, and action on the part of our U.S. history team," BHS principal Randy Gawel said.