OPERATION EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

RAISING AWARENESS

Students at Hadley Junior High School had the opportunity to meet and interview veterans from World War II and the Korean War while learning about Honor Flight Chicago. Students wrote narratives about the veterans afterward, then were asked how they could help spread the work abuot the goal and mission of Honor Flight Chicago.

After the students designed their solutions, they presented to an expert panel of veterans and Honor Flight Chicago volunteers. The panel heard the students ideas, asked questions and gave the students feedback on their solutions.

Students came up with a variety of ideas, including:

  • Write letters for mail call
  • Record podcasts and videos to tell veteran impact stories
  • Design a coffee cup with the Honor Flight Chicago logo and a QR code to link people to the HFC website for donations
  • Visit senior homes in the area to share information about HFC with eligible veterans
  • Design an Honor Flight Chicago App idea to pitch to the Verizon App Challenge competition
  • Distribute HFC bookmarks at the local library, bookstore or elsewhere in the community to inform the public about the organization and encourage donations

Many of these ideas went on to be implemented by students and teachers.

Teachers repeatedly heard from many students that they knew veterans were important, but that their awareness of the importance of veterans was permanently elevated and changed by this experience.

HADLEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

  • CITY: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

  • GRADES: 6-8

  • HFC PARTNER SINCE: 2017

“(The veterans) taught me to stay humble and never boast about what you’ve accomplished.”

Hadley Junior High School student

“Hearing how many die in battle really made me think of how selfless, loving and brave the soldiers are.”

Hadley Junior High School student

HIGHLIGHTS

Meeting the Vets

There is no better way for students to learn about veteran experiences than by talking directly with the veterans. That is what Hadley students were able to do.

Generating Ideas

Students came up with a variety of ways to spread info about Honor Flight Chicago, ranging from video interviews and podcasts to specially designed coffee cups and mobile apps..

Practicing Presenting

Once students came up with their variety of activites, they were able to practice their public speaking skills and present the ideas to a combination of veterans and HFC volunteers.