Community, students gather to honor veterans

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:03am — John Embry

Veterans and their sacrifices and service were on full display on Tuesday, November 11, as Butler County Schools' hosted its annual Veterans' Day program at the high school gymnasium.

Following a brief welcome by Superintendent Robert Tuck, several school groups kicked off the event.

The Parading of the Colors was conducted by the BCHS NJROTC; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Harlie Chapman from BCHS Beta. The BCHS Choir sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "My Old Kentucky Home." Calvin Docker, local pastor and middle school teacher, gave the invocation.

Joel Blanchard, VFW Auxiliary chairman, recognized the winners for the Writing & Art for Heroes/Buddy Poppy winners.

They are:

*BCHS Art

*Senior Class

1st place- Serenyty Johnson

2nd place- Ashlee Neighbors

3rd place- Felix Lopez Alonzo

Honorable Mention - Michelle Falls

*Junior Class

1st- Claira Boone

2nd- Jacelynn McCombs

3rd- Mae Givens

Honorable Mention - Audra House, Jonas Romans and Jenelle Kimmel

*Sophomore Class

1st - Makayla Taylor

2nd- Christian Phelps

3rd- Stephanie Alarcon

Honorable Mention - Layla Adams

*Freshman Class

1st - Cecilia Reynolds

2nd - Robie Webber

3rd - Lillie Hammers

BCMS Art

8th Grade

1st place - Eli Cardona

2nd place - Eliza Lynch

3rd place - Michael Johnston III

7th Grade

1st place- Krista Dockery

2nd place- Natalie Larsen

3rd place- Aria Willoughby

6th Grade

1st place - Lilly Belcher

2nd place - Jeremias Perez Gomez

3rd place - Matthew Johnston

BCMS Writing

7th Grade

1st - Isaac Phelps

2nd - Embry Inman

3rd - Ava Embry

6th Grade

1st - Chaney Hunt

2nd - Daphne Mooney

3rd - Ella Johnson

MES Art

*5th Grade

1st - Jakelyn Tomas

2nd - Whitlee Dockery

3rd - Adeline Burden

3rd Grade

1st - Lillian Kessler

2nd - Maisy Shaffer

3rd - Emersyn Jenkins

2nd Grade

1st- Kynlee Tyree

2nd- Ryleigh Ray

3rd- Arthur Cox

1st Grade

1st - Noriel Ramos Gonzalez

2nd - Angelina Baustista

3rd - Kingston Flores

Kindergarten

1st - Christian Gomez Alonzo

2nd - Charlie Gary

3rd - Rowan Johnson

North Butler Elementary Art

*5th Art:

1st place- Tucker Embry

2nd place- Ada Brown

3rd place- Cainan Jenkins

MES Writing

2nd Grade

1st- Hunter Moran

2nd- Macy Martin

3rd- Elivia Hams

MES Buddy Poppy Writing

*5th Grade

1st- Jakelyn Tomas

2nd- Wyatt Martin

3rd- Jase Brooks

Honorable Mention - HarleighSmitty

NBES Buddy Poppy Writing

*5th Grade

1st - Emily Hunter

2nd - Briley Westmoreland

3rd - Gibson Whittinghill

NBES Writing

*5th Grade

1st - Tucker Embry

2nd - Trinity Hunt

3rd - Levi Allen

Local veterans' organizations also recognized their respective "Veterans of the Year:

- VFW Auxiliary Post 5837 - Bryan Pharris

- VFW Post 5837 - Rick Brown

- Butler County D.A.R. - Jim Givens and Deanna Embry

- Green River Chapter D.A.R. - Carl Keller

The keynote speaker was Master Sergeant Suzi Huffman. Sgt. Huffman spoke briefly about her service in the military, her family's history of military service, and the sacrifice and commitments of all veterans.

Below is background information provided about Sgt. Huffman:

"Master Sergeant Huffman grew up in Butler County and is a 1988 graduate of Grayson County High School. After high school she attended Western Kentucky University until she decided to join the Kentucky Air National Guard in May of 1990. While in the Kentucky Air National Guard she attended technical training to become a pharmacy technician. After completion of training immediately volunteered to serve in Desert Shield where she put her new skills to use at Alexander Air Force Base. Then served in Desert Storm, performed manning assistance at Holloman Air Force Base. She then transferred to the New Mexico Air National Guard where she received several associate degrees at the Community College of the Air Force. In 2000, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She then trained to be part of Services Squadron and became a Production Recruiter where she obtained her sales skills that have served her in her civilian career. While Master Sergeant Huffman was a recruiter, she was awarded Rookie Recr

Darlene Scott, of Butler County Piecemakers, presented "Quilts for Veterans."

Recipients were: Jerry Webster, Romey Smith, Josh Robins, Rick Brown, Terry Chapman, Everett Masm, Suzi (Bowles) Huffman, Jewell Martin, Timmy Jones, Denise Hall, and Stephen Summers.

The BCHS Band presented a "Salute to America's Finest" by playing the service songs of the various branches.