Westcliffe Composite School in Marengo held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony on November 9. It was very touching as all participants did a wonderful job and the audience was quiet and very respectful.
Mrs. Kiss and Mrs. Sonmor organized the finer details of the event that involved so many people in our school and community including members of the Royal Canadian Legion, a Canadian Armed Forces member who is also a Westcliffe parent and the school liaison with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The Masters of Ceremony were Westcliffe Student Leadership Council (SLC) Co-President Makayla Kiss and SLC member Tatsiyanna Cisna.
The Honour Guard entrance included Legion members Cindy Chiliak, Butch Mears and Mike Rooke, Air Cadet and Westcliffe student Samson Winter, RCMP Constable Brian Littler and Westcliffe parent, veteran and retired Master Corporal, Alex Thomson.
Retired Master Corporal Thomson read the poem “Why Wear a Poppy.” Having a veteran who is also a Westcliffe parent as part of the ceremony was very meaningful to the students, especially Master Corporal Thomson’s son. This was the essence of parent engagement.
The program also included the presentation of certificates to students who entered the Royal Canadian Legion Art, Poetry and Writing contests. Students Branden Fischer, Blair Sullivan, Chase Holland, Lynnae Warrington, Danica Kiss and Blake Rooke each read their work during the program.
There was barely a dry eye in the house as the Grade K-5 class sang "Song of Peace."
The Westcliffe Senior Band worked hard throughout the entire program performing O’Canada and God Save the King and the beautiful Down by the Salley Gardens.
The ceremony helped everyone keep the veterans and current armed forces members in mind during the long weekend, when we enjoyed the luxury of the freedom that they provided through their many sacrifices.
Below are some pictures from the ceremony.
