Northport students write with flair to win local essay contest

Northport K-8 students are very familiar with veterans and the US military because many have grown up seeing men and women in uniform at the school. Northport has built an excellent program called “Veterans In Education” partnership. Veterans visit Northport regularly imparting information and drawing respect from the students. When the opportunity was presented by Superintendent Genelle Yost for students to enter a writing contest offered by the Port St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2658, Northport teacher leaders jumped on the idea. The topic, “What Does Veterans Day Mean To Me?” fit right into the schema of Northport’s overarching themes of respect, patriotism and courage. Students wrote with flair and were able to draw on information that has been taught in classrooms, through Media Center programs such as “Remembering the Forgotten War,” 9/11 Remembrance Program, Veterans Day Community Reading program, “Submarine Life” and a variety of other programs that bring love of country to life. Many referenced veterans by name such as Commander Peter Popolizio who recently achieved the honor of Saint Lucie School District Senior Volunteer of the Year! The six students and their families will be honored at a dinner at the Elks Lodge on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:00 pm. Monetary prizes and plaques will be presented at the dinner. Pictured are Northport students from Nick Carey and Carla Caldwell’s classes who wrote the winning essays. Pictured, from left, are Naema El-Azzami, Syad Rievi, Darley Dorvilier, Taygen Pennella, Trevor Walk and Connor O’Sullivan. The Northport K8 community is extremely proud of all students who participated, teachers Nick Carey and Carla Caldwell, and especially the six winning students.