Nonnewaug Celebrates Community Veterans at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

Senior Brayden Whipple gives his speech at the annual Veterans day ceremony. Whipple noted his familial legacy of service while thanking veterans for their lifelong service to their country.

Hope Davis ’29, Morgan Willis ’27, Deme Jones ’26, and Sam Savulak ’29 • November 10, 2025 • 112 Views

WOODBURY– As the late months roll around so do important dates like November 11th, Veterans day. Every year Nonnewaug High School commemorates local veterans of Woodbury and Bethlehem. This year NHS decided to switch it up and make this ceremony the best it has ever been.

This ceremony is used to honor those who served in the US military, specifically those related to students in the school. Marisa Chrisoff, Nonnewaug’s vice principal and advisor for Rho Kappa Honors Society, was please with how NHS honored community veterans.

“I think it was our best celebration to date,” said Christoff. “We had the most veterans we’ve ever had, 24 veterans. I think some of the highlights of the day were the three students speaking specifically and personally about Veterans Day, how it impacted their families, and the message they wanted to give to the student body about Veterans Day. I think lining the hallways and having the veterans walk through was most people’s favorite part of the day when we got into the CCRC.”

Kailey Townsend Meeker, a junior at NHS, has a personal connection when it comes to this special Veterans Day event.

“It was special to me because three or four years ago, she was deployed to Poland, so it just made me appreciate it more,” said Meeker. “So every Veterans Day I get to celebrate with her is more special to me, and especially being able to do the speech and inform people about how my mom served was really special to me.”

Christoff knew the event would be a great turnout but never would have guessed the real impact it had those who participated.

“Many veterans approached me and said that this was one of the best ceremonies they’d ever been to. One veteran actually said the hairs on the back of his neck stood up,” said Christoff. “A couple cried as you guys cheered for them. They were very moved and very appreciative. And I think really, like, they felt, you know, honored. They really did feel honored today. So that was our goal. I was happy that, you know, we got such positive feedback.”

About the Contributors

Hope Davis ’29, Reporter

Hope Davis is a freshman at Nonnewaug, and a first-year journalist for Chief Advocate. She is from Woodbury, and is part of Nonnewaug’s girls volleyball team. Hope likes to dance and go out with friends. She enjoys writing about timely and current events.

Morgan Willis ’27, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Morgan Willis is a sophomore at Nonnewaug and an editor for the Chief Advocate. Morgan is an officer in the National Art Honor Society and the president of the Sophomore Class Council. She loves writing about the art departments at Nonnewaug as well as important events.

Deme Jones ’26, Senior Editor

Deme Jones is a senior at Nonnewaug High School who writes and edits for the NHS Chief Advocate. She is now a senior editor. This is her third year as a writer for Chief Advocate, and she hopes for a great year filled with many well-written pieces. Deme enjoys her Photography, shooting for the Chief Advocate and hopes to continue in the future.