WHITEHALL — Several Whitehall High School students, and teacher Brian Milliron, received awards from the White Lake VFW Thursday afternoon at the high school for their efforts in the VFW's annual Patriots' Pen essay contest, as well as a special award for the recent veterans night spearheaded by students Lianne and Janie Fagan.
Milliron, also the girls basketball coach, was named local teacher of the year for a third straight time, but also earned district teacher of the year honors. The Fagan sisters were awarded special commendations for their efforts in putting together the annual veterans night celebration, which took place during a Feb. 7 girls basketball game against Oakridge.
It was the second year of the veterans night, which Lianne Fagan assisted now-graduated Taylor Ottinger with last year. Both were National Honor Society legacy projects and featured pregame ceremonies honoring local veterans - 27 were in attendance this year, with Lianne now leading the project with support from Janie.
As was the case last year, a cornhole board was raffled off to raise money for both the VFW in Montague and the American Legion post in Whitehall. This time, the board was made by Brian Peets' construction trades class. Over $1,000 in total was raised in the raffle, which the two organizations split evenly.
"You ladies touched many a heart," Gloria Hesse of the VFW said of the Fagans. "We are indebted to you. Your leadership skills were exemplary."
Lianne Fagan said preparations for the veterans night began last summer, following the steps Ottinger started in 2023-24.
"From the first football game in the fall, we were selling tickets at home games," Lianne said. "Then we sold them at the VAC, for basketball games, for wrestling. It's just been so much work trying to raise all the money."
Lianne added that the veterans support was a natural progression of the program's goal to celebrate accomplishments, which is a common discussion point.
"I think each and every year, we're just trying to find new ways to bring more attention to (the veterans night) in the community, and also just encourage community members to celebrate the veterans not only on special nights like this," Lianne said. "I think it's more of an awareness thing that we're excited to share because I think it's something that has been lacking recently."
In addition to the Fagans, three students - senior Brian Mulac and sophomores Ava Gardner and Henry Chen - were honored as local essay contest winners for their work with the theme Our Forefathers' Vision. While none were district winners - Hesse said it has been some time since the area did not produce a district-winning essay - the local VFW members who judged the essays still felt they were very good and required several perusals to choose winners.
"Your essays mean a lot to all of us," said Ken Giddis, a VFW member who recounted shabby treatment upon returning from war in 1969 after being drafted.
Milliron, who has won the district teacher of the year award four years in a row, said he will not be applying for the award in future years in hopes that other "great young teachers" in the district - which comprises Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Wexford counties in addition to Muskegon - are recognized in the future.
"Gloria Hesse always does a great job coordinating with our school to set up (our veterans night), along with Lianne & Janie Fagan this year, " Milliron said. "We had another great night. We have a number of veterans on staff at Whitehall and I am happy to help honor their time in the military."
In addition to Milliron's award, the VFW recognized Shoreline Elementary teacher Stacy VandenBosch as local teacher of the year later, also Thursday. Students were able to share cards made for veterans the previous Veterans Day and perform the Pledge of Allegiance along with Giddis.
Hesse said the only thing she would ask of young people is that in future Christmas and Fourth of July parades, which the VFW participates in each year, they pay their respects to the American flag when it is displayed. She said flag etiquette has not been modeled well of late and would love to see that change.
