Marble – David Abernathy said his granddaughter, Paige, “has been at me all week” for him and his wife, Betty, to come to The Oaks Academy for the Veterans Day celebration.
They were very happy they did on Nov. 23.
To open the event, Stix in the Mud from Brasstown performed two traditional English dances dressed in extravagant clothing, complete with bells attached to their shin guards. Hannah Larson, counselor for The Oaks Academy, both organized and joined the merry band of dancers as entertainment for the event at Cherokee County’s alternative school.
Many local veterans joined the students and faculty, including Mike Bias, who served as a U.S. Air Force airman tasked with morse code communication. While his granddaughter, Madison Adamovich, laughs at his exploits, Bias remains reticent when discussing his missions.
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” he said with a laugh, before adding somberly, “My work is still classified.”
Navy E6 officer Judy Corn joined in the celebration with two close friends, Marilyn Brown and Kim Deaton. The women, who represent Shepherd of the Mountains Church in Murphy, “have adopted this school,” Brown said.
She added with a smile, “We supply food, snacks, clothing; just any need a student or a teacher may have, we provide it.”
Three Oaks Academy students – juniors Layla Cruz, Eric West and Luke Nichols – sat near the burgeoning dessert table.
“My favorite is pumpkin pie,” Cruz said, with West and Nichols agreeing with her. Eager to show his
support for the veterans, West added, “I’m thankful for the veterans; it’s because of them we have this place to live.”
The school’s cafeteria was soon teeming with people, so James Vaught, middle and high school English teacher, ushered several dozen students to an attached room. Seventh-grader Coa Boyd didn’t seem to mind not sitting in the main hall, saying, “I’m happy to be back here. Sometimes you just need a little space.”
After honoring the veterans, who were asked to stand when their branch of service was called, the school garage band bravely performed an original song that spoke to their gratitude for those who served. Their unique composition included guileless lead vocals by Jayven Singleton, with spoken interjections from Lance Hawkins.
The crowd responded with such enthusiasm that the band was called back to the stage to perform an encore of “Simple Man.” Austin Reece, lead guitarist, along with cajon player Bryson “Meatloaf” Kierbow and rhythm guitar player Andrew Groves, performed a meaningful rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic Southern rock song under the audio guidance of soundboard technician Malachi Haines.
Science teacher John Worden provided faculty oversight. Both songs received standing ovations.
When the applause finally died down, Principal Anne Boring invited all of the veterans to move through the buffet lunch as the day’s honored guests and, to many students’ delight, the dessert table was opened at the same time.