Phoenix, Ariz. – On Saturday, April 17, Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) will virtually host their Honor Roll event, a veteran parade and benefit presented by corporate sponsor Pro One Media. The event will honor the service of veterans, celebrate the accomplishments of the VHP program’s students, and raise funds for the continuation and growth of the program. VHP’s mission is to Connect Students with Veterans™ in order to honor veterans, preserve America’s heritage, and develop future leaders.
During the event, VHP will recognize two students from Cactus Shadows High School: Lauren Anderson, the “Above and Beyond” Scholarship winner, and Michelle Satran, a student essay scholarship winner.
Above and Beyond Scholarship Recipient: Lauren Anderson, Cactus Shadows High School:
“I volunteered at the Massing of the Colors event, attended Pearl Harbor Remembrance events, led the Pledge of Allegiance during the Memorial Day Celebration, and joined Barbara Hatch at the ADVS Military and Veteran Women’s Summit. I’ve walked with my classmates at Veterans Day Celebrations, and finally, I ensure my attendance at every book reception. I volunteered to take on the position of lead editor for our 600-page book in 2020, spending over 200 hours that year laying out veteran stories and helping construct our beloved book. I also took on the role of vice-president for our chapter, helping run meetings and working closely with teacher advisors. VHP is the most valuable and irreplaceable feature in my life, and every second that I’ve devoted to the club has been priceless.”
Personal Scholarship Recipient: Michelle Satran, Cactus Shadows High School:
“Throughout life, most people have a “memory box,” a place to store life-changing moments, photographs of people they’ve shared experiences with, and mementos from favorite places. For some people, it takes their entire lifetime to fill their memory box. But for me, after joining Veterans Heritage Project, it seems I already need to invest in more storage. My memory box is layered with lessons learned and relationships formed with veterans. VHP has opened my eyes and heart to stories of success and loss, and expanded my horizons for all life has to offer. The advice my veterans have given me remains at the top of my memory box as a constant reminder to go out and make a difference in the world.”
“VHP’s after-school program brings educational enrichment to Arizona middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities,” said Michelle DiMuro, VHP Executive Director. “Although through this event our students will honor all veterans who shared their service stories for the 2020 and 2021 editions of Since You Asked, we will also pay tribute to the Arizona National Guard for their extraordinary service to the community during the pandemic.”
Approximately 200 veterans will drive through the parade route in decorated cars. The route will feature military vehicles from every military engagement from World War II to the War on Terror, cheering students – some in uniform from each era, a flag line from The Patriot Guard riders, poster size veteran service photos, a flyover from the Arizona Stearman Squad, and more.
The virtual event will be emceed by two local alumni students – Emma Suttell from Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, who will also sing the national anthem – and Jim Lednicky, an alumnus from Shea Middle School and Shadow Mountain High School, and current VHP Chapter President at ASU.
During the livestream, VHP will present the Barbara Hatch Founders Award for Program Excellence to their Teacher of the Year, bestow their 1st Annual Alumni Service Award, and highlight five student essay scholarship winners from Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, Arizona State University in Tempe, and Collegiate High School at NWFSU in Florida.
Honor Roll sponsors include Salt River Project, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Rambeau Family, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, Employees Community Fund of Boeing Arizona, Thunderbirds’ Charities, the Fuller Family, and the King Charitable Foundation.
For more information about VHP, visit:
www.veteransheritage.org.
To register for free online, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/honorroll. Registrants will have an opportunity to bid on silent auction items, and enter a drawing to win a trip to Hawaii to visit Pearl Harbor in celebration of VHP’s Pearl Anniversary – 12 years as a non-profit. The winning entry will be drawn live at the conclusion of the livestream.
Founded in 2004 and established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit in 2009, VHP’s mission is to Connect Students with Veterans™ in order to honor veterans, preserve America’s heritage, and develop future leaders. VHP facilitates an after-school program impacting 13,000 students, while interviewing up to 300 veterans annually. Their first-person accounts of history are preserved in the Library of Congress and through the student publication, Since You Asked.™ The award-winning program develops students’ leadership, confidence, character, and 21st century skills.
