Wayne Trace High School’s Art Technology classes are excited to see the veterans’ banners they created for their local communities going on display this month in Grover Hill, Payne, Latty, Haviland, and Scott. With generous grants provided by the Ohio Arts Council, the National Education Association, the Ohio Education Association, the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, and the Paulding County Foundation, students set out to design, promote, and create banners for community members who served in the armed forces at no cost to the veterans and their families. After kicking off this banner campaign at the Veterans’ Day assembly hosted by the school in November, these students have been working to collect names, photographs, and service information for over 200 community members while developing a variety of art, business, and life skills. If your family missed out on this year’s project, make sure to join us as we kick off the second cycle of collecting photos and information this fall.
Completing such an intense project was not only an excellent learning experience for these fourteen high school Art Technology students, but also very rewarding. One student said that “It was very difficult but you also got to learn how companies work at a fast pace . . . we had to make sure (these banners) were right and had no mistakes.” Another participant explained that “The skills I learned during this project was having communication skills and leadership . . . Working as a team helped get different ideas out.” Other students agreed, adding “I think it is really cool that I can be a part of this big project. I think a lot of families will be happy with their banners.” Most of the students agree with one of the team members who stated that they are “excited to drive through the towns and see the banners I helped create!”
The students would like to thank the Wayne Trace Junior/Senior High School office, media specialist Susie Johnson, and the local veterans’ organizations and village mayors for all of their help, patience, and recommendations. They would also like to thank Sisters Embroidery in Van Wert and Treece Electric for their help in stitching and hanging the banners throughout the Wayne Trace area. This opportunity for our Raiders to recognize the sacrifices made by others and their families is just one small way that they show pride and connect what is being done in the classroom with their communities.
