Kids learn right way to fold flags

Janene Van Leeuwen, public information officer with Liberty Elementary School District, wrote this article.

Student Council leaders at Estrella Mountain Elementary were treated to special lesson on Oct. 24, with guest teachers visiting from the Buckeye Union High School Junior ROTC Honor Guard.

Under the leadership of Lt. Col. Tom McClain, the students were provided proper instruction and etiquette in folding the American and Arizona flags.

"It was a great experience that touched my patriotic side," said seventh-grade council member Connor Moore.

Student council members and the Character Counts seventh-grade class competition winners will continue to honor this tradition as they take responsibility for lowering and folding the flags at the end of each school day.

"This is the best kind of lesson that stays with a child forever, allowing for a great leadership opportunity for our junior high leaders," said Kim Davies, teacher and member of the Character Counts Committee.

Following the lesson, celebrating the end of National Character Counts Week, all Estrella Mountain students and staff gathered together to officially celebrate the opening of D-Votion field, which they received via a Diamondbacks Grant.

The ceremony began with the presentation of the flags by the Junior ROTC Honor Guard, with student leaders standing by to take over the responsibility. Students and staff also recognized Dale Kamarata of Estrella Youth Sports for helping Liberty District be awarded the grant.

And to end things, under the direction of music teacher Ray Killian, all attendees were led in singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

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Student Council leaders at Estrella Mountain Elementary were treated to special lesson on Oct. 24th, with guest teachers visiting from Buckeye Union High School Jr. ROTC Honor Guard.