The City of Carmel honored veterans on Friday at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in The Tarkington Theater at The Center for The Performing Arts.
Mayor Jim Brainard was joined by keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Pete O’Hara, U.S. Army; speaker Doug Haney, U.S. Army; Carmel American Legion Post 155; Carmel VFW Post 10003; with performances by the Actors Theatre of Indiana, the Orchard Park Elementary School Choir and Cindy Ensign Baney.
The winners of the Veterans Day Poster and Essay Contests were also recognized at the ceremony. Students from local elementary schools took part in the Poster Contest, while Middle School students participated in the Essay Contest. This year’s theme was “Honor and Country.”
Finalists for the poster contest were chosen by grade level from each participating school. Board members of the Carmel Arts Council selected one citywide winner in each grade. The winning posters were chosen based on best representation of the theme, focus on veterans and creativity.
The posters were displayed at the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony and each student received a certificate of achievement from Mayor Brainard and Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools Dr. Michael Beresford. The honorable mention posters are up for viewing at the Monon Community Center on the second floor’s main hallway through Tuesday, Nov. 12.
A list of Carmel Veterans Day Poster Contest winners as well as images of their posters can be found on the city’s website at 2019 Veterans Day Ceremony.
The winners of the “Honor and Country” Poster Contest are as follows:
- Kindergarten: Ostara Zajac, Carmel Elementary School
- 1st Grade: Parnika Sapre, West Clay Elementary School
- 2nd Grade: Sophie Robisch, Towne Meadow Elementary School
- 3rd Grade: Pia Anderson, Towne Meadow Elementary School
- 4th Grade: Hadley Wilkinson, Carmel Elementary School
- 5th Grade: Elise Kaster, Carmel Elementary School
The panel of judges from veterans organizations chose the winning essays based on overall representation of the theme, focus on veterans, strength of message and proper use of grammar. Students were invited to read their winning essays aloud during the ceremony and each received a certificate of achievement from Mayor Brainard. A list of the Carmel Veterans Day Winning Essays can be found on the city’s website at 2019 Veterans Day Ceremony.
The winners of the “Honor and Country” Essay Contest are as follows:
- 6th Grade: Divya Ariyur, Clay Middle School
- 7th Grade: Jewel Wang, Clay Middle School
- 8th Grade: Anna Kindsfather, Clay Middle School
Poster contest winners in grades K-5 received $50 each and essay contest winners in grades 6-8 received $100 each, courtesy of Indiana Members Credit Union.
“I am impressed with the students and their teachers in our community. By the quality and depth of the posters and essays honoring our veterans, it’s obvious our young people understand what it means to be a veteran and the importance of thanking those who have served our country,” said Mayor Brainard.
Each veteran in attendance received a gift, courtesy of American Structurepoint and Drs. Lauck & McLean Optometry and Eyewear. Other sponsors included UN Communications Group, Inc. and a pictorial display of World War II and Vietnam Veterans provided by Wyant Photography.