WESTFIELD – Friday afternoon at Saint Mary’s Church, the American Legion Post 124 awarded its first American Legion School Medals to students at St. Mary’s of Westfield.
Four students, one male and one female each from grades 5 and 8, were selected for the award.
The 8th grade award recipients are Aynsley Davidson and Jack Watson and they will be attending St. Mary’s High School in September.
American Post 124 awarded its first American Legion School Medals to four Saint Mary’s Parish Students during the Saint Mary’s Parish School Memorial Day Assembly. Receiving medals were 8th graders: Aynsley Davidson and Jack Watson who will be going to the High School in September and 5th graders: Amelia Willenborg and Everett Stec who will be going to Middle School in September. Pictured left to right: Aynsley Davidson (8th Grade), Gene Theroux, Past Commander, Amelia Willenborg (5th Grade), Lynn Collins – Principal Saint Mary’s Parish School, Everett Stec (5th Grade), Jack Watson (8th Grade) & George Fahey, Past Commander. (Photo by Don Wielgus)
The 5th grade award recipients are Amelia Willenborg and Everett Stec and they will be attending St. Mary’s Middle School in September.
These American Legion school award medals represent the highest honor given to any civilian by The American Legion. The students were chosen by teachers and staff at Saint Mary’s Parish School based upon the six principles upon which these awards are made:
- COURAGE -Bravery in the face of opposition and danger; determination and force to do right without public applause and regardless of personal advantage. A quality of intellect.
- HONOR – Highly developed moral character; moral excellence; strength and stability of character; high standards of conduct; devotion to duty; adherence to truth; a keen sense of what is right; practice of clean speech and thoughts
- LEADERSHIP – Ability to lead and to accomplish through group action; ability to work in harmony and in unison with other leaders in accomplishing group results; desire and ability to fill voids in the lives of others caused by timidity, illness and other handicaps.
- PATRIOTISM-An ideal of loyal Americanism, religious tolerance, righteous freedom and the willingness to defend our Flag against all enemies, foreign or domestic. Perhaps best defined in the American’s Creed.
- SCHOLARSHIP – Attainments in school studies; quality of school work reflecting the fine traits of industry, perseverance, efficiency and intelligence.
- SERVICE – Kindliness; unselfishness; fellowship; protection of the weak; promotion of the interests and the welfare of associates; and constructive aid for the up building of schools and community.
This is the highest honor awarded American youth by The American Legion. It is a medal that proclaims to the world that the recipient is the kind of American that the Legion Comrades of men and women who gave their lives in battle, believe worthy of such honor. The American Legion believes those recognized have a reverence for God and undying love for their native land. It is the desire that wherever you go and whatever you do, you will always be guided by the highest and holiest ideals.
Saint Mary’s is the first school to have volunteered to participate in the American Legion Post 124’s implementation of the American Legion School Medals Award Program. Two graduating seniors each from Westfield High School and from Saint Mary’s High School will receive the American Legion School Award Medallion and accompanying certificates at their Senior Class awards night.
