HOULTON, Maine — This November, the senior class of Houlton Middle-High School will join forces with Wreaths Across America to decorate the graves of local fallen soldiers.
The HHS Class of 2023 is supporting Wreaths Across America and has begun collecting donations to place 1,000 wreaths on the graves of fallen service men and women at Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton.
“The HHS Class of 2023 was asked by Ms. (Kristin) Supa, freshmen social studies seminar teacher and the Wreaths Across America site coordinator, if we would like to help get the word out about Wreaths Across America,” said Mariah Peterson, class president. “Our class thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to take part in representing not only our school but also our community.”
A wreath-placing ceremony will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery on Dec. 17 at noon. Those placing the wreaths will include HHS Class of 2023 volunteers and others from the Houlton community.
“Volunteers usually make the wreaths for the program, which are funded by donations that we collect, but some kits can be sent out to families or others to make at home,” Peterson said.
In order to come up with enough wreaths to cover the gravemarkers, the senior class has been collecting donations at the high school and also through online resources. Anyone who would like to donate can visit the RSU 29 website or Facebook page.
A dedicated page for Houlton Middle-High School can be found on the Wreaths Across America website. The class also hopes to have a table at the Houlton Craft Fair in November.
“Our class hopes to raise enough money through donations to place 1,000 wreaths on the veterans’ graves at Evergreen Cemetery and honor those who have served our country,” Peterson said. “This goal is a massive jump from the 150 wreaths sponsored last year.”
