By Matt Hoover
USD 475 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Each spring, shortly after spring break, the Junction City High School freshman committee turns its focus to giving back to those who serve our community.
Did you know that for the past three years, students have chosen to support local military members by writing thank-you letters? With Junction City’s strong military presence due to Fort Riley, the committee wanted to recognize the positive impact and diversity these service members bring, as well as honor their sacrifices.
“It's a fun activity that makes you realize how appreciative you are for everything they do,” said Lilly Escalante, Junction City High School freshman.
Escalante’s classmate, Ava Hammond, the freshman committee vice president, shared that the activity gave her a deeper appreciation for the opportunities she and her classmates get to be a part of.
Committee officers organized the project by assembling supply bags for each freshman advisory class, distributing them, and collecting the completed materials after a week. They then work together to sort everything, ensuring each envelope includes a hand-colored patriotic image, a handwritten note, and an American flag sticker. The completed letters are delivered to Fort Riley, where they are shared with military members throughout the community.
"I really liked the activity. My mom is a veteran, so it meant a lot, and she also thought it was really nice,” said Riley Brady, a freshman at JCHS.