Written by Neva Cosentino, Violet Gabriel, & Arianna Cook
The annual SAMS Veterans Day breakfast celebration was held in the cafeteria on Wednesday, November 4th, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Coordinated by Ms. McDaniel, the event welcomed more than 250 attendees, including 175 veterans representing all branches of the military and multiple generations of service.
Among the honored guests was 101-year-old Warren Goss, a World War II veteran and Utah Beach (D-Day) survivor. Principal Dr. Shannon Howard noted how meaningful his presence was for the school community. “Having someone who witnessed such a significant moment in our nation’s history join us was truly special, and it gave our students an incredible opportunity to connect with living history and recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who served,” Dr. Howard said.
The morning kicked off with opening remarks from SAMS Principals Dr. Howard and Mr. Shaw, alongside Shaler Area assistant superintendent Dr. Brian Brown. “It was a privilege to welcome our veterans and their families,” Dr. Howard shared. “This special tradition gives our students the opportunity to personally thank those who have served our country and to learn from their experiences.” Eighth-grade students AJ Brown and Mackenzie Hoolahan led the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced each of the morning’s events. Before breakfast was served, Reverend Daniel Smail, Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, led everyone in prayer.
Following breakfast, members of The Salmon, the school’s student newspaper, presented a special journalism project titled “25 Years of Remembrance: Sept. 11, 2001–2026.” The presentation retold the story of the 9/11 terror attacks through America’s patriotic and heroic response, featuring video reflections gathered by students from teachers and staff about their personal memories of the day, what modern students should understand about it, and how the attacks shaped their views on military service. Service, sacrifice, and patriotism were key themes during the slideshow, capturing the attention of the packed cafeteria. Salmon staff contributors Nova Bonaroti, Lexi Zalewski, Lana Rodgers, Neva Cosentino, Pricilla Binkowski, Arianna Cook, and Annabelle Barner confidently spoke during the presentation.
Superintendent Dr. Bryan O’Black emphasized the impact of bridging the gap between generations through projects like The Salmon‘s presentation and the Wall of Honor displayed at the school. “For our students, Sept. 11 is history. For so many of the veterans, families, and educators in our community, it is a deeply personal memory,” Dr. O’Black said. “There is something incredibly powerful about bringing those generations together. We want our students to understand that the history they study was lived by real people, including the veterans sitting across from them at breakfast or the family members whose photographs hang on a Wall of Honor. These connections help our students appreciate that service, sacrifice, and patriotism aren’t simply lessons in a textbook. They are values embodied by people in their own community.”
About the cover photo: Dr. Shannon Howard posed with 101-year-old D-Day Survivor and World War II Veteran, Mr. Warren Goss.
Mr. Bill Casey took the photos for this article.
Additionally, the SAMS cheerleaders and 8th-grade choir showcased their talents during the celebration. The choir performed the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “Marches of the Armed Forces,” and “Show Me the Way” by Styx, featuring a solo performance by singer Devin Howells.
