Schools throughout the Socorro Independent School District honored veterans and active military with Veterans Day celebrations in November.
Students, faculty and staff showed appreciation in various ways, from parades to military mixers.
The celebrations showcased the district's commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. Socorro ISD currently has 46 Purple Star Designated campuses, an honor the Texas Education Agency gives to schools that demonstrate they provide various resources and assistance for military-connected families.
Kertrenia Wright, principal at Benito Martinez Elementary School, said it was key for her as an educator and as the spouse of a service member for the students to know the significance of Veterans Day.
The school is named after Corporal Benito Martinez, who served in the U.S. Army and fought and served during the Korean War.
"It's important for students to know the importance of the namesake of our school and all those who have served," Wright said. "My husband served for 25 years; my father fought in Vietnam, and my uncle even earned a Purple Heart (award), so to me, learning and knowing these things at an early age is very important."
Kertrenia Wright's husband, Dendre Wright, a retired captain in the U.S. Army and a guest speaker at the school's annual Veterans Day parade, agreed with his wife that children should understand the true meaning of Veterans Day and know the sacrifices that others have made for them to earn an education.
"Our military go out every day and put their lives on the line to make sure these students have those opportunities, and so it's great to see the students have a heart of thankfulness," Dendre Wright said.
Sophia Cristobal, a fourth-grade student at Benito Martinez Elementary, was glad to see everyone celebrating and showing gratitude to those who serve, being a military-connected child herself.
"My dad is in the Army, so it was very emotional for me, especially because my dad is deployed right now in Europe," Cristobal said. "It's important to honor our veterans and active military because they sacrifice a lot for us."
El Dorado High School also honored veterans and active military members at its third annual Military Mixer Night. The event also gave military-connected families a chance to network with one another and converse with campus leaders to learn more about support systems and resources available to them.
Haley Pinon, a senior and captain of the El Dorado Aztec Sun Dancers, said she was excited to participate in such an important celebration once again.
"All these veterans sacrificed so much and have dedicated their lives to our safety and freedom, so it's a pleasure for us to be here today honoring them so that they know we appreciate them," Pinon said.
Kemika Allen-Ricketts, a parent of three students in the El Dorado feeder and a proud 17-year service member currently in the Army Reserve, said she greatly appreciated the mixer and the district's efforts to assist military-connected families. "I appreciate today and I feel grateful," Allen-Ricketts said, "It's important to honor what our veterans have done for us and for the kids to have an appreciation for what we've sacrificed for our country."