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VHP VOICE
Connecting Students with Veterans
March 28, 2017: Volume 6, Issue 3
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VHP Student from Tucson Recognized by National WWII Museum
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On Friday, June 9 in New Orleans, the National WWII Museum will recognize
Shaelyn Fones
as the Arizona winner of the
Billy Michal Student Leadership Award
, given annually to one student from each state and the District of Columbia who demonstrates the American Spirit in his or her community. The student awards are a new addition to the Museum's American Spirit Award, which "honor those who inspire others through their own acts of courage, sacrifice, initiative and generosity—particularly in the areas of leadership, service to country or community, and education." Past recipients of the American Spirit Award have included President George H. W. Bush, Tom Brokaw, Tom Hanks, and many other distinguished leaders.
http://americanspiritawards.org/home/
Don Dickinson, University High School VHP Chapter Advisor, nominated Shaelyn for her contributions to WWII veterans through VHP. "
Shaelyn
is a silent, humble young woman who just goes about doing everything without any fanfare or ego. Her contributions really come from the heart, so I am so glad to see her recognized and rewarded," said Don.
During her time in New Orleans, Shaelyn will have a behind-the-scenes tour of the WWII Museum, meet the American Spirit Award recipients as well as co-awardees from across the county, participate in leadership-building activities, and represent Arizona at the American Sprit Award Gala. Congratulations, Shaelyn!
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Mikaela Morris, Soroptimist International of Saguaro Foothills
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On February 20, 2017, Cactus Shadows' Sophomore VHP Chapter president received the Margaret Laibe Award for volunteering in her community. Both she and the school chapter were awarded checks for $250 to further their mission.
Pictured: Mikaela Morris with her parents Beth Brady and Ken Morris, receiving the Soroptimist Award.
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March is Women's History Month
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In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month and each year a special Presidential Proclamation is issued to honor the extraordinary achievements of American women.
Veterans Heritage Project is pleased to honor the significant role women have played in our military history through this year's SYA theme,
A Salute to Women
. The links below offer an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that women have made and continue to make in service to our Country.
(Drawing: Grace Castellanos, Sequoia Prep, Maricopa, AZ)
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VHP Students to Receive Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) Scholarships at Annual Patriotic Gala on April 8, 2017
Serendipity can be defined as discovering value and agreeable relationships that were not sought out. Such a moment occurred for the AVHOFS early in 2012 when the President and Founder of the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP), Mrs. Barbara Hatch was presented with our most prestigious award: the Copper Sword. Those that attended that wonderful event included many of Barbara’s students, several of whom had interviewed our AVHOFS members. An idea was taking root, and within a month the AVHOFS expanded our Scholarship Program to include VHP students. By November we established a formal partnership with VHP, affirming our mutual support by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). That is indeed serendipity. We are pleased to be partnering with VHP to serve the veteran community in Arizona and invest in and develop the next generation.
Thanks to AVHOFS member Jesse Gersten, who initiated the creation of the AVHOFS Scholarship Program in 2007, and the continued support of the AVHOFS leadership, when the 2017 Gala concludes, 8 Veterans Administration volunteers, 8 military Veterans, and 15 VHP students will have been awarded a cumulative total of $52,500. - Chuck Schluter, Past President of AVHOFS
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Emilierose Gillaspy
is a senior at
Shadow Mountain High School.
She has been a part of the Veterans Heritage Project for four years and is currently serving as the President of the Shadow Mountain chapter. Her involvement in VHP has taught her the value of leadership and allowed her to grow as a leader and a student. Emilierose will be attending Grand Canyon University and plans on studying communications and business administration.
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Hannah Frain
is a senior at
Flagstaff High School i
n the Advanced Placement Academy.
She joined Veterans Heritage Project
in her junior year of high school and was fortunate to form a connection with her veteran, Bob Blum, a ninety-seven-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor. Hannah also participates in several other community service clubs including National Honor Society, Characters Helping Initiate Change through Community Service (C.H.I.C.C.S.), and she was a founder of the Environmental Awareness Club. Hannah plans to attend the University of Arizona, where she will pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. VHP has inspired Hannah to ensure that better care is given to veterans once they return home.
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Riley Goldsmith
is a senior at
University High School in
Tucson. She was one of the founding members of the VHP Chapter at University High School and currently serves as the Chapter's Vice-President. Riley also helped spearhead the program into a publishing chapter for Since You Asked. Riley’s first interview three years ago was Mr. Richard Goldsmith (no relation), one of the Ironmen of Metz. This interview impacted Riley tremendously and created a desire within her to honor and preserve the dedicated service of our veterans. She has been a leader in the University High Chapter and helped direct two Veterans’ Day assemblies that honored 16 veterans before an audience of 1,000 students and faculty. Riley has distinguished herself as an outstanding student, having taken 10 Advanced Placement courses, while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
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Six Editions of
Since You Asked: A Salute to Women
Volume XIII sent to press!
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Our six publishing schools have been working tirelessly since August to record veterans' stories, collect collaborating chapters' submissions from their region, and lay out all essays in Adobe InDesign to prepare their editions of
Since You Asked
Volume XIII.
Last month all six editions were sent to print, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Teacher Advisors & Student Editors.
Publishing chapters are champions of the VHP mission in their communities. Congratulations to Cactus Shadows High School, University High School, Shadow Mountain High School, Chino Valley High School, Campo Verde High School, and Glendale Community College! Thank you to all 23 chapters who worked hard to make possible another wonderful volume of
Since You Asked
!
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We also want to thank the students and volunteers for coming together to help edit the books at Editing Days hosted by several of our Publishing Chapters. With books ranging from 100 to over 600 pages, the more eyes reviewing the books to make sure they are print-ready, the better!
Pictured on the left: Shadow Mountain High School Advisor Paula Burr with two students and their Chapter Advocate at the Phoenix Edition 2 Editing Day.
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Sophomore VHP Chapter Vice President at CSHS and already Lead Editor, Harrison Kessel,
not only laid out Phoenix Edition I's 620-page book, but also fretted until the other five editions went to press. He personally helped Northern Arizona and Maricopa Community College's books, and answered phone calls for the others. He also hosted publishing training in September to get them ready. Thank you Harrison for your diligence and pursuit of excellence.
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Harrison with Scott Sloat, Advisor of Chino Valley High School, Publishing School for the Northern Arizona edition.
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VHP's Illinois Chapter Thriving
Marquette Catholic High School
in Alton, Illinois is the first school helping to pilot an out of state chapter. The experience is helping VHP understand how to create and serve a national program. The chapter completed five interviews this year and Mary Rivera, their advisor, has plans to reach 10-15 veterans next year!
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Reception & Book Signing Events
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Come join us at any regional event to celebrate the 11 "Rosie the Riveters", 3 Gold Star Wives and 266 Veterans and the 233 student authors of Volume XIII!
If you were interviewed by or involved with one of the chapters, see below the event in which they are participating.
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- April 9 - Phoenix 1
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Arizona State University, West Campus
Participating Chapters: Cactus Shadows High School, Sonoran Trails Middle School, Marquette Catholic High School, Boulder Creek High School/North Valley Regional Library, Notre Dame Preparatory High School, Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Youth Group
- April 22 - Northern Arizona
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Participating Chapters: Chino Valley High School, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagstaff High School, Show Low High School
- April 22 - East Valley
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Mercy Gilbert Conference Center
Participating Chapters: Campo Verde High School, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School, Westwood High School, Queen Creek High School
- April 29 - Tucson
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Tucson Rillito Police Sub-Station
Participating Chapters: University High School, Ironwood Ridge High School, Sequoia Pathway Academy, Santa Cruz High School
- May 2 - Maricopa Community Colleges
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Glendale Community College Student Union
Participating Chapters: Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College
- May 21 - Phoenix 2 (Please Note Date Change)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Elks Lodge
Participating Chapters: Shadow Mountain High School, Shea Middle School, Chaparral High School, Millennium High School
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Grow our Mission
Participate in
Arizona Gives Day
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Honor Veterans. Preserve History. Inspire Youth.
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April 4, 2017 is Arizona Gives Day - a statewide 24-hour giving marathon.
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Community Events
Memorial Day - May 29
Join us at 8 a.m.
at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Cave Creek Road in Phoenix as we honor our veterans during the Wreath Ceremony and Memorial Day Program.
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Volunteer Events
Volunteer Appreciation Event - June 3
Calling all Teacher Advisors, Chapter Advocates, Committee Members, Board Members, Advisory Council Members, and Individual Volunteers. Save the date for an afternoon of fun and community.
Chapter Advocate Training - August 5
For individuals who are interested in supporting a teacher with VHP chapter operations. Contact
[email protected]
to learn more.
Annual Chapter Kickoff - August 19
Teacher Advisors, Student Leaders, and Chapter Advocates--be sure your Chapter is well represented. You will benefit from the updates, resource sharing, and networking!
Publishing Training - September 16
Publishing Chapter Student Leaders and Teacher Advisors will receive specialized instruction and tools to support the publishing of your
SYA edition.
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Thank you, Arizona Department Of Veterans' Services, for supporting our program with an $18,000 grant
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Oral history supports ADVS’ mission of enriching and honoring Arizona veterans and their families through education and advocacy. Each VHP chapter extends into its local community, creating understanding and appreciation for service, bringing awareness to veterans’ issues, and connecting with veteran groups. With this grant, VHP can continue to engage interested schools, support new chapters, and develop enhancements that will support our ability to expand to additional Arizona communities.
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Campo Verde High School Participates in Wreaths Across America
Kathy Diggs, Teacher Advisor
In the wee early hours of a brisk Saturday in December, a group of VHP students from Campo Verde High School (
pictured right) made their way from Gilbert to the National Memorial Cemetery to pay their respects and lay wreaths for the holidays. This was the first time the chapter had participated in the event, raising money to sponsor 18 wreaths. Upon arrival, they joined the ranks of motorcycle clubs, ROTC cadets, Civil Air Patrol units and other civic-minded patriots to await the arrival of the truck. This truck, they learned, made its way across the country, dropping off loads of the most fragrant, lush pine wreaths at cemeteries for this special event. The program began and singers, bagpipe groups, and fellow veterans paid tribute to the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation. Finally, a Gold Star Mother provided a heart-wrenching perspective as to the meaning of every wreath that would be placed that day. She asked that all remember each veteran with gratitude and say aloud every name, because in doing so, their memory would not fade. I was able to lay a wreath on the final resting place of my grandfather (
pictured right). It was an unforgettable day for all in attendance and the group looks forward to being there year after year.
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"Remembering the Korean War" Panel
On January 14, three Korean War veterans (including SYA veterans Arden Rowley and Lew Bradley pictured above), along with a family member of an MIA (missing in action) hero, shared their experiences through a special presentation at the Chandler Public Library. VHP Board member and Korean American writer and historian Susan Kee (
picture above on far right) provided a historical overview of the Korean War and facilitated the panel discussion.
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MOAA Presentation
On February 18, Harrison Kessel, Cactus Shadows VHP Chapter Vice President and Lead Editor of Since You Asked. Dr. Jeanne Blaes, a veteran interviewed by Harrison, and Brittany Henritze,VHP Program Coordinator, had the opportunity to speak to the members of the
Military Officers Association of America, Arizona Chapter. Brittany presented an overview of the program, and Harrison (
pictured speaking above) and Dr. Blaes shared how VHP and their interview experience impacted them. It was a special afternoon reconnecting with veterans already interviewed by VHP, some over 10 years ago, and sharing the VHP mission with 50 MOAA members.
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2017 Arizona Humanities Awards
On February 24, Barbara Hatch received the 2017 Juliana Yoder Friend of the Humanities Award for her lasting contribution to our community and dedication to the humanities. Many friends were in attendance to help Barbara celebrate, including VHP students Michelle Satran, Melissa Satran, Harrison Kessel, and VHP Alumna Lizzy Satran, pictured above. Former students Lori (Hylton) Brown and Shelley (Hylton) Rahe also flew in from the East coast to honor Hatch.
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Civic Learning Conference Presentation
Arizona's Dept. of Education hosted its 4th annual conference
on Feb. 3, 2017, at Paradise Valley Community College with the theme
Empower Students to Engage. Veteran Jim Kelsey (
pictured above with Supt. of Public Instruction Diane Douglas) and VHP Founder Barbara Hatch boasted their best attendance ever, as interested educators seek creative ways to get their students more involved in their communities!
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She Went to War:
Women's Stories of Military Service
On March 11, Barbara Hatch represented VHP by displaying Since You Asked and program materials at this special presentation at the Chandler Public Library.
Three women separated by 40 years showed how far women have come in the military. Their primary message about the expanding role of women in the military is that women need to prove their ability to do the jobs alongside men, and advocate for their own needs. They agreed their military service helped them develop an empathy for people in other cultures, mature ahead of their peers, and work with people of many different backgrounds. The women want us all to know that the world “is not as black and white as we want.” We need to open our minds to solving world issues by understanding other people and working with them.
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Sue Wudy, an Army stenographer for J-3 in Vietnam in the 1960s, Cheryl Rinehart, a Marine who did two tours in Iraq, and Jenna Rohr Pursley, an Army medic in Afghanistan served on the panel. Colonel (Ret.) Wanda Wright, Air Force veteran and Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, moderated the panel.
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KSAZ Fox 10 News Coverage
In case you missed the Fox 10 News special feature story on Veterans Heritage Project last month, you can watch it
HERE
. We look forward to KSAZ Fox 10 filming a follow-up segment at our April 9 Community Event and Book Reception.
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Contact
[email protected]
to learn more about these and other committee opportunities.
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Are you interested in giving back to the veteran community and making a positive difference in the future of our youth
? Share your professional experience and knowledge to help advance our mission.
Join a committee.
Finance: Use your expertise to help build financial models, budget projections, and growth plans.
Information Technology: Help review and define technology architecture and strategies that support organizational growth.
Marketing/PR: Support community awareness activities through branding, collateral material creation and strategy development.
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Board of Directors
Barbara Hatch, Founder Program Director
Laura Byers, Co-Founder Board President, Vanguard Marketing Intl. VP & CTO
Joe Brett Board Vice President, Retired Business Executive, Veteran
Jerry Strickland Board Secretary, Retired State Farm Regional VP, Veteran
Austin Anton Board Director, Technology Consultant, VHP Alumnus
Susan Kee Certified Project Management Specialist
Mary Ellen Reilly, Esq. Wilkes & McHugh, P.A., Veteran
Donna Ward Retired Corporate Attorney
Phil Yin, Ph.D. Executive VP & General Manager, Desert Silicon, Veteran
Drew Peneton Manifesto Project Apprentice, Uber Technologies,
Veteran
Staff
Michelle DiMuro, CFRE Executive Director
Brittany Henritze Program Coordinator, VHP Alumna
Advisory Council
Jane Barnes Hospitality & Mobile Events Specialist
Mike Burns Retired Business Executive, Veteran
Jason Chamberlain Senior Advisor and Retired President & CEO, HDT Global
Vic Connor Retired Business Executive, Veteran
Tim Ganahl Retired Non-Profit Executive, Veteran
Brigadier General J. Derek Hill USAF, Retired
Frank Lambert Retired Business Executive, Veteran
David Lucier Community Leader, Veteran
The Honorable Rick Romley Arizona Veterans Court Judge, Veteran
Major General Carl. G. Schneider USAF, Retired
Dave Ward Vice President Group Finance, Avnet
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Veterans Heritage Project | 1-877-VHP-PROJ (847-7765) | www.veteransheritage.org
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