Veteran’s Day: Interdisciplinary approach to memorial
November 5, 2014
Plate created by 2014 exchange student Martina Spinelli.
By: Reporter Maddie Terlap
U.S. veterans will be honored via an interdisciplinary approach at NHS through a ceremony and special art memorial on Veteran’s Day.
As Veteran’s Day approaches, most people spend the day thanking the veterans in their life; NHS staff and students took a bigger role in the commemoration this year. On Tuesday, Nov. 11 a ceremony will take place to honor veterans and present an art memorial, a project that has been a year in the making.
The idea for an art memorial stemmed from a plaque honoring fallen World War II veterans. The plaque, presented by then-senior Emma Kiel at the Neenah Community Veterans Ceremony last year, inspired Associate Principal Chad Buboltz to enlist the help of art teacher Mrs. Lisa Dorschner.
Dorschner, an NHS art teacher of 21 years, said the wheels started turning right when Buboltz asked her to create a larger memorial for veterans. She wondered what would be a good representation of NHS and decided to talk to students and the social studies department to find out.
The project started with Mr. Benton Christian, Mrs. Deb Gauthier and Mr. Ken Gilmeister, three NHS history teachers, who selected well-known images of war scenes, propaganda and veterans from United States history. Art students chose an image and created their own rendering using pen and ink. The project was incorporated into the curriculum, but students also spent time outside of class creating pieces for the display.
Then Mr. Travis McDonough and the technology department got involved. McDonough and students used an engraving laser to create aluminum plates etched with the renderings. He and Dorschner both mentioned how the students dedicated their time outside of class to make the project a success.
“The students really were the driving force behind getting all of these images completed,” Dorschner said. “They were so excited about this project. Some of the students did two or three images and some found personal images that represent people in their family that have served.”
Dorschner commented on how the project was important to her, explaining how she recently visited France and Normandy Beach, where D-Day took place in 1944. Soon after, she was asked to do this project and felt that it was all meant to be. The students feel connected to the project as well.
Junior Felix Castro said, “The memorial as a whole really impacts me. My great grandfather served in the air force and eventually died due to the effects of the war. A dedication to those who served is right and needed.” Castro worked together with Andrew Nunamaker, a sophomore. Nunamaker was one student who contributed multiple pieces to the display.
Dorschner's plans for the future of the memorial.
The memorial will be displayed on the wall across from the NHS cafeteria, and Dorschner hopes its central location will get it exposure. She has many plans for the future of the memorial and aspires to have the display officially open for Veteran’s Day in 2015.
The ceremony will kick off what both Buboltz and Dorschner hope to be an annual event. Buboltz worked with a number of people including the local Legion Post and NHS teachers and administrators to organize the ceremony. Featured will be Mr. John Morgen, an NHS teacher, the NHS choir, orchestra, and band, Dorschner and the contributing artists, and Ashley Hermans, a junior, who will be introducing the project.
All staff and students are welcome to attend the ceremony, which will take place during mod 6 on Nov. 11.
According to McDonough, one of the best parts of the project was being able to work with other departments within the school. He praises the art and social studies departments for their work on the memorial and hopes that future projects feature similar collaborative work. Buboltz and Dorschner agree. The memorial will not only be an incredible tribute to United States veterans, but also a symbol of NHS and the teamwork and dedication that takes place here.
