NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
February 24, 2014 Walnut, CA 91789
Walnut High Students Meet World War II Veteran
Black Student Union luncheon honors essay finalists, Tuskegee Airman
WALNUT, CA--The Walnut High School Black Student Union hosted a luncheon to honor essay contest finalists and a wonderful veteran on Friday, February 21.
Students from BSU held a luncheon to celebrate Black History Month in the Multi-Purpose Room.
The club’s annual essay contest asked Walnut High School students to explain the impact of Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. These dedicated, determined young men volunteered to become America's first Black military aviators.
The two contest finalists sophomore Zane Landin and sophomore Mia Liang read their essays during the event. Landin was named the 1st Place winner.
The luncheon also featured a special guest speaker.
Lt. Albert Smith, an 88 year-old veteran, who flew as a Tuskegee Airman, took to the podium and shared a few stories with the students.
“It really made you feel honored to listen to his message. It was a great afternoon,” said Principal Jeff Jordan.
English teacher and BSU advisor Victoria Workman assisted senior Michael Montgomery, the club’s president, in organizing Black History Month activities which included decorating the school with inspirational posters, organizing the school wide speech contest, and planning a luncheon for eighty students.
BSU Vice President Kayla Mayaki concluded the luncheon with an original poem that included the lines:
When you were simply told to know your place,
You persisted and won glory for our race.
After the luncheon and commemorative photos, Landin told Lt. Smith how thankful he was that he came to the school to speak.
The World War II veteran responded by pulling a $2 bill out of his pocket, handing it to the student and wishing him the best of luck.
“Thank you so much. I’m saving this for good luck,” Landin replied.
“It was an awesome moment. These are the great things that happen here,” Jordan added.
Shown:
Veteran Lt. Albert Smith a, Tuskegee Airman in World War II with Walnut High sophomore and essay contest winner Zane Landin at the BSU luncheon held on February 22.
World War II Veteran Lt. Albert Smith spoke during the Black Student Luncheon in honor of Black History Month.