close
close

Continental Middle School honors veterans with a student-led event

Continental Middle School honors veterans with a student-led event

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) – Out of gratitude and respect, Continental Middle School students hosted a veteran appreciation event for the almost 4,000 veterans live in the Green Valley area.

The celebration, organized by the school’s Continental Builder’s Club, was a moving tribute to veterans, with activities designed to recognize the dedication and sacrifices of those who served.

The event began with a helicopter landing on the school’s football field as students watched from across the field and chanted “USA.”

Following the helicopter’s arrival, students in the JROTC program at Sahuarita High School performed a color guard ceremony, setting the tone of respect for the day’s proceedings.

Alexandra Victoria Freeland, eighth grader and Builder’s Club president, shared her passion for the event and explained the importance of honoring those who have served.

“We just wanted to honor everyone who works at our school and everyone who has served us in our community,” she said.

Freeland’s dedication to the club is a family tradition; her grandmother was also involved in the Builder’s Club, and Freeland expressed a deep sense of pride in continuing that legacy of leadership and community service.

The event also highlighted the contributions of retired Special Agent Rick Messick, who shared his personal experiences in the military and provided a powerful perspective on service and sacrifice.

Messick shared his early goals: He wanted to join the FBI, which led him to military service and eventually to the Air Force Office of Investigations, where he had the opportunity to help protect former presidents such as Bill Clinton.

“We would do everything from terrorism to catching spies,” Messick said of his experience. “Growing up, I never thought I would be in a position to meet the presidents of the United States.”

In his speech to the students, Messick gave the students confidence and used his story to motivate their future goals.

“Nothing is unattainable if you apply yourself and focus,” he told the students.

Holly Whatcott, a substitute teacher and president of the school’s Parent-Teacher Club, also was instrumental in organizing the color guard ceremony.

She also recruited her husband to command the helicopter that conducted the services.

Speaking about her family history of military service – her husband is a veteran of the invasion of Iraq and her sons are active in JROTC – Whatcott emphasized the importance of passing on values ​​of service and community.

“You participate, you serve,” Whatcott said. “You make sure you are aware of others and take the opportunity to teach them about it too.”

Founded in 1977, the Continental Builder’s Club is the longest-running youth organization of its kind in Arizona. It teaches leadership and community service through events and fundraisers, helping students develop skills that will benefit them in the future.

The club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, which also helped organize the veteran appreciation event.

The club’s activities for the year may be completed, but the spirit of service remains; the school’s Civics Club is preparing for a fundraiser on November 20 at the McDonald’s on Continental Road, with proceeds supporting a trip to Washington, D.C.

Interested parties can find out more information about the Continental Builder’s Club by visiting the group’s website.

——
Joel Foster is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9 who previously worked as an English teacher in both Boston and Tucson. Joel has experience working with internet, print and video in the technology, financial, non-profit and public sectors. In his spare time, you can find Joel participating in Tucson’s local comedy scene. Share your story ideas with Joel on [email protected]or by connecting Facebook, Instagram or X.