Freedom for All! On Friday, May 25th, the assembly began with a welcome from Nick Bartels and Hannah Wishart, both honoring grandfathers and great grandfathers who served in the military.

Nick Bartels gave his personal statement, “I Believe in Patriotism”.

Nick introduced Harold Moore, a teacher at Fillmore Middle School who served as an Avionics Technician in the Navy for 22 years. Moore introduced the Color Guard from Port Hueneme who presented the colors., and led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Fillmore Middle School Band playing The Star Spangled Banner, Moore also acknowledged the Navy Seals and their efforts in recent events and the rescue of an American taken hostage by pirates.

Ladyjan Faulkner, the Fillmore Middle School Librarian sang and tap danced to Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Pride Committee Vice President Hope Nisbet and Secretary Jackie Tovar offered a tribute to Sergio Mendez, a Veteran, who in December of 2011, died tragically in a freak accident when an off-duty police officer from out of town crashed through the wall of our local Starbucks. A red memorial rose bush will be planted in the middle school rose garden to honor his service and two tours of duty in Iraq. Following his tribute, Angelic Murillo sang “I'm Proud to be an American”, dedicated to Mendez.

There were three Fillmore High School Seniors inspirational speeches; Freedom to Learn by Juan Valdovinos,
Freedom to Serve by Jaynessa Lopez, and Freedom to Dream by Candice Steines. Estrella Alejandro sings God Bless America.

The Fillmore Middle School Band played “Simple Gifts” as Veterans seated in the audience were escorted to the stage.

Nick Bartels introduced his grandfather, Jack Stethem, a Korean War Veteran and spokesman for the event asa he offered a story about his service as a Veteran in Northampton and Boston, and on a ship designed to protect Eisenhower in case of an attack. Stethem also mentioned his two years of service on the battleship Iowa. A moving rendition of “Traveling Soldier”was sung by Estrella Alejandro.

Fillmore Middle School teacher, Rachel Livermore told the story of the poet, Lazarus, who wrote The New Colossus. Livermore then led the 8th grade class to recite New Colossus.

Retiring teacher and Veteran Dan Alcozar honored for his service in the USAF and contributions to NASA and Rockwell International was acknowledged from the stands where he sat with his class during the assembly. Alcozar is presented with a card from his students for his 25 years of teaching in Fillmore. His nephew, Chris Gurrola is continuing the family tradition of service as a trained fighter pilot for the USAF.

Fillmore Middle School teacher Laurie Merrill introduced the following Veterans: Bill Preciado - USAF flew over 400 missions in Vietnam, received 19 medals for valor and two distinguished Flying Crosses; Theodore (Bud) Untiedt - US Navy served in Korea on a small battleship called a light cruiser and as an electrician on minesweeper; John Pressy - served as a medic in Korea and received the Purple Heart; Ismael Alonzo - served in Vietnam on the front lines for the US Army to ensure supplies; Jim Mills - served the US Navy in radar missile control on a destroyer. He also helped rescue pilots who had been shot down; Richard Tansey - destroyed bridges and cleared minefields for the US Army in Vietnam; Otto Klittich – served in the US Army in Korea on the front lines. Klittich is the lone survivor from his unit; Wayne Hunt - served in the US Army in Korea. Hunt was an expert in heavy weapons such as canons, mortars, machine guns, and howitzers; J. C Wood - served with the Navy Seabees and on an aircraft carrier in Korea; Corvez was also honored for his service in the military; Harold Moore - Navy Avionics Technician whose job was to get messages to the President and other NTK’s
Fillmore Middle School Teacher Anne Wade presented the Wall of Honor, a flag on the wall where the red stripes were made of the names of middle school student's veteran family member’s who died in service for our country.

A moment of silence was offered
“Safe and Sound,” was sung by sisters Janessa Lopez and Angelic Murrillo. The Fillmore Middle School Band played Grand Old Flag as Veterans were escorted off stage. Nick Bartels announces the Peace Pole commissioned to be placed in front of Fillmore City Hall and congratulated the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade peace poetry winners. Hannah Wishart presented Nitzeth Ruiz and her dance crew, The Rainbow Group, with the Pride in America dance mix choreographed by Ruiz. The assembly followed by a BBQ and activities including an 8th grade vs staff softball game that lasted until the end of the school day.

This year the theme was Freedom for All. The event is a year-long culmination of work put forth by of a group of volunteer students known as, the Pride Committee under the guidance of Fillmore Middle School teacher Laurie Merrill.

The Pride Committee consisted of: President Hannah Wishart, Vice President Hope Nisbet, Secretary Jackie Tovar, Treasurer Cynthia Perez, Designer Bryanna Arnett, Artist Xugen Nguyen, Morning Lesson by Rachael Pace, and Technicians - Nick Bartels and Luis Landeros.

Preparations began at the start of the school year with the committee meeting once a week during lunch to plan the event and to make the patriotic decorations that transformed the middle school gym. The Fillmore Middle School ASB, and FMS teachers, Marisa Martinez, and Jenny Bortins, helped facilitate the event.

The Fillmore Fire Department ended the day with a splash!