Newtown High School Honors Veterans

By Susan Coney

Newtown High School had a lunch and assembly on Thursday, November 10, in honor of Veterans’ Day. More than 50 veterans and current service personnel attended a hearty luncheon provided by NHS culinary arts students under the direction of teacher Brian Neumeyer.

PFC Thomas Yacho, a 2004 graduate of Newtown High School, returned to the school for the day’s celebration. Private Yacho stated that he had been recruited by SFC Mark Spencer about a year ago when he listened to him speak to students at the high school. “At first I joined the National Guard because of the incentives, so that I could go to college. Now I really like it and would like to be a career serviceman and get my 20 years in,” he said.

While Private Yacho was visiting the high school for the luncheon and assembly he stopped by to check in with his prior art teacher, Carol Skolas. Ms Skolas said of Private Yacho, “Tom gets the award for the most improved student. He turned himself around and set goals for himself and met them. He is a creative, wonderful writer and really has a way with children. Thomas use to work at a preschool and the kids there just loved him.”

Currently Private Yacho is working at Landmark of Ridgefield Academy in Redding; however his Bristol Infantry Division has been called to be deployed to Afghanistan the first week of January.

PFC Auriane Desouza of Danbury also attended the Veterans’ Day celebration at the high school. She also had been recruited by SFC Spencer. Private Desouza just returned in October from serving a year in the administrative division of the National Guard in Iraq. Asked if she was glad to be home Private Desouza beamed and said, “Yes! It was a long year. The worst part was being away for Christmas. December was the longest month.” Asked what was the best part of returning home and she said, “Regular food and not being confined to one, small area.”

After enjoying a meal and sharing stories with one another, the vets attended an assembly in their honor in the high school auditorium. Superintendent Evan Pitkoff and Principal Arlene Gottesman along with Sgt Timothy Walsh spoke at the ceremony. The Newtown High School Select Choir and band performed. There was a flag folding ceremony and students Nicholas Drabik and Sean Gerety performed “Taps.”

Organizer Neil Culhane, director of guidance at the high school, was pleased with the way the days events played out. The Veterans’ Day luncheon and assembly were a collaborative effort on the part of the guidance department, the culinary arts program, NHS Guidance Honors Association, NHS Future Business Leaders of America, the music department, the VFW Post 308, and the high school custodial staff.