Medina students serve nearly 200 meals to veterans and their families

Photos by Ginny Kropf: National Honor Society senior Gaven Dahldaus clears plates from the table of veteran George Lee Brown of Albion. He said he had spent most of the day at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, where he was driven by a volunteer with the Veterans’ Van Service in Albion. He attended the dinner with his daughter Andrea.

MEDINA – A record number of veterans and their families attended the 16th annual Veterans’ Day Dinner, sponsored by the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society at Medina High School.

The 177 responses, which included 64 veterans and their families, was the largest since the dinners have taken place, said Honor Society Adviser Zach Harris. Harris is a Medina High School graduate and said he remembers the dinners sponsored by the Honor Society when he was a student.

“I’d like to see this event get as big as possible, even if we have to get a fire hall,” Harris said. “I am so grateful for these students who have worked so hard to give back to you.”

Camden Fike and Brennan Allen, both seniors and members of the National Honor Society at Medina High School, welcome veterans and their families at the annual veterans’ day dinner they sponsor.

The evening included dinner catered by Zambistro, a welcome by NHS president Madalyn Clute and invocation by Robyn Watts.

Guests enjoyed appetizers and cider before being served a spaghetti dinner catered by Zambistro.

At each place setting was a greeting card/message from students in kindergarten through third grade at Oak Orchard Elementary School. One card read, “Thank you for keeping us safe. You are so brave and strong.”

National Honor Society members Analeah Fidanza, Natalia Olsen and Aspyn Garley hand out greeting cards made by grades K-3 at Oak Orchard Elementary School.

Veterans enjoying dinner and camaraderie at the veterans’ dinner at Medina High School Friday night are Jack Miles, Guy Magliocco of Carlton and Barb and Dave Kusmierczak of Medina.

Zach Harris, standing at the podium, is adviser of the Honor Society at Medina High School. He welcomed veterans and their families to the 16th annual Veterans Day Dinner on Friday night.

The Medina Mustang Marching Band spans out across the auditorium at Medina High School, where they performed Friday night for the Veterans’ Day Dinner sponsored by the school’s Honor Society.

Veterans and their guests were then invited to walk to the auditorium, where the Mustang Marching Band performed their award-winning show under the leadership of drum major Sophia Lopez. The band this year is directed by Kyla Leno-Denise.

Also, throughout the evening local photographer Alexandra Peracciny roamed through the crowd, taking pictures. Anyone whose picture was taken may contact her  to have a picture e-mailed to them.

The Mustang Band and Color Guard entertain the audience after the Veterans’ Day Dinner at Medina High School.