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Coal Ridge students deliver art to Colorado veterans home in Rifle

Theresa Hamilton
Garfield Re-2
Students Brittany Rhodes and Madison Starbuck deliver the CRHS art piece to the Colorado State Veteran's Living Center with Deena Jacoby, the center's recreation coordinator.
Provided |

Veterans day events in Re-2

All events are Thursday, Nov. 10

Rifle High School • 10:30 a.m. • Call 970-665-7725 for more information

Riverside Middle School • 8:15 a.m. • Call 970-665-7800 for more information

Coal Ridge High School • 11:45 • Call 970-665-6700 for more information

Kathryn Senor Elementary • 3 p.m. for veterans, 7 p.m. for parents • Call 970-665-7700 for more information

Colorado State Veterans Community Living Center Recreation Coordinator Deena Jacoby could barely contain her enthusiasm when a pair of Coal Ridge High School seniors gently carried in a large piece of artwork for display in the living center.

“Oh, how fun,” she enthused as Brittany Rhodes and Madison Starbuck walked through the doors.

The piece is part of a Veterans Day art show that is being held at the Colorado State Veterans Community Living Center.



“Every year we have some sort of display related to Veterans Day,” said Jacoby. “This year, we incorporated the community for our veterans. Having this art piece here helps build bridges between our (high school) seniors and our veterans.”

Starbuck said that the Coal Ridge High School art club felt privileged to produce the piece that now proudly sits at the living center.



“The art club wanted to do it, because we want to do things for our community. We decided to create a silhouette of a soldier to represent all of the veterans, and add the logos of all of the military branches because we didn’t want to leave anyone out,” she explained.

Rhodes was honored to be a part of the project. With tears welling up in her eyes, and a catch in her throat, Rhodes shared her deep appreciation for the men and women who have served the United States of America.

“I think the community coming together to represent the veterans is important. This is the least we can do for them. It’s an honor for us to do this for them.”

Both students have a legacy of armed forces service. Both grandfathers, Marvin Rhodes and Donald Starbuck, served in the Navy.

“It’s just a thank you from us to show that we are grateful for them and all they have done for us,” added Rhodes.

Jacoby encourages all students to get involved with their local veterans.

“There are a lot of opportunities for students to be able to give back. Even if you don’t join the military, there are lots of other opportunities to give back to our veterans,” she said.

Jacoby said invitations were extended to several community organizations and that she expects additional art pieces to come in by Veterans Day.

Theresa Hamilton is the director of communications for Garfield School District Re-2. Email her at thamilton@garfieldre2.net or call at 970-665-7621.


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