Fruitville Elementary students to honor veterans

Fruitville Elementary School students will present a special music and visual arts production Tuesday to honor veterans.

Fruitville students will narrate the program, “Honor, Inspire, and Embrace…Our American Heroes!”  Third-grade students, with help from teachers DeeDee Rice and Danielle Ard, interviewed veterans and other seniors at the Senior Friendship Center for their thoughts on patriotism. Children then returned to school and worked with Florida Studio Theater staff to put the interviews into written form.

Emily Ewing, Fruitville’s music teacher, prepared more than 100 children to perform choral and instrumental pieces focusing on the theme of honoring, inspiring and embracing American heroes.

The school’s art teacher, Alma Vega, worked with students to create patriotic artwork inspired by the works of Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. These creations will be displayed as backdrops for the production and worn by the children on T-shirts during the program.

A video produced by The Education Channel, the Sarasota County School District’s television station, documented the creative process that led to the stage production. The video will be shown during the event.

The program will also feature student essays and poetry on the themes of patriotism, freedom and sacrifice.

The event is part of the Legacy of Valor Campaign, a series of community-driven partnerships that educate, build enthusiasm and encourage the community to honor veterans and their families throughout Southwest Florida.

The free 90-minute program is scheduled for 7 p.m., Nov. 14, at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]