SANDPOINT — Students across Lake Pend Oreille School District found diverse ways to honor veterans and recognize the gravity of their sacrifice this week.

At Sandpoint High School, hundreds of students filed into the gym with handmade posters to honor veterans. The school choir performed the national anthem prior to a speech from retired Marine Sgt. Cody Alford, who motivated students to rise above their fears of how they are perceived so that they can work toward bigger dreams.

“Adversity could be the one thing that transforms your life,” he told the audience.

Wednesday, students from Hope Elementary School gave a moving performance and offered refreshments to those who have served in the military. The event was described by many as emotional. Students' recognition of the weight of the sacrifice made by those they were singing for was evident to multiple attendees.

Veterans were overheard saying things like "I've lived in a lot of states, and I can tell you, there's nothing else like this Veterans Day program." Another couple said on the way out the door, "things like this make you believe in the good … that the future is in good hands." 

Many were moved to tears by individual performances by each grade, capped off by a full school finale performance of “I Love America.” The students’ music teacher, Russell Richins, was described by school faculty as dedicated to inspiring students to use the gift of music to share their appreciation. 

Sherri Hatley, principal at Hope Elementary, said the school has been coordinating the event with the Clark Fork VFW for as long as she could remember. 

“For Hope and the Clark Fork community, this has always been an incredibly important event,” she said. “The respect and the love that our students show our veterans through their singing — it is emotional and it is so heartfelt. They’re not just singing these songs, you can see their faces and you can see they’re into it.”

She said she knows of multiple families with ties to the school who appreciate recognition for their loved ones who have served. 

“Vietnam veterans that were treated so horribly — they come to our performance,” Hatley said. “They are the ones that say ‘I have so much hope for the future.’ For some of them it’s very healing.”

Sagle Elementary hosted a similar event with poster displays of veterans among students’ families, songs, and a presentation from a keynote speaker. Washington Elementary also held two assemblies Tuesday, Nov. 7. 

On Thursday, Farmin Stidwell Elementary students in grades four through six, performed in a concert to show their appreciation for veterans. On the same day, Southside Elementary held performances and hosted a veteran speaker who spoke on the meaning of Veterans Day.

On Friday, Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School students hosted a veterans breakfast, and participated in a school-wide activity prepared by the Clark Fork Leadership Class. 

Lake Pend Oreille High School also held a Veterans Day Assembly where veterans attended advisory classes to be interviewed by students. 

Kootenai Elementary hosted a performance of “My Country Tis of Thee” and “This Land is Your Land,” followed by some background on the songs. 

Northside Elementary wrote letters to veterans as well as active duty military around the world via an organization called "A Million Thanks."

Sandpoint Middle School prepared an old-fashioned Veterans Day Assembly, featuring band performances of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Armed Forces Medley.” Veterans and staff gave speeches. A student-made American flag thank you card was also presented to Bonner County Veterans Services liaison for the office to display. The SMS student leadership and administration planned and executed the event. 

    The Sandpoint High School choir performed the national anthem prior to a speech given during their event to honor veterans.