Joining the Generations
E
ighth grade ’40s Day featured a col-
laboration of multiple subject areas,
with a service-minded approach,
resulting in a performance that
brought value to both participants
and audience members.
In preparation for the annual CPA ’40s Day,
eighth grade students studied the culture, art,
literature, and events of the times in History,
Art, and English classes. Additionally, students
participated in a service project in which they
gathered with local senior citizens to interview
them and listen to the incredible stories from
the past. The members of the “Greatest Gen-
eration” were eager to tell students about their
experiences growing up in the 1940s: the food
and supplies rationing, the long waits for news
and letters, and the famous personalities of
the times. Students learned from people whose
lives at age 13 were much different than what an
eighth grader experiences today.
These same seniors were given a personal in-
vitation to attend the event, and both the seniors
and the CPA students were excited to see one
another again. The special guests enjoyed re-
uniting with their “interviewers” and watching
the students perform familiar musical numbers
of the era.
Boys dressed in military uniforms escorted
guests into the Event Center by way of the “Mess
Tent” and provided everyone with a “hash box”
complete with rations to enjoy during the pro-
gram. Preceding the USO-style show presented
by the students for their guests, grandparents
and senior citizens from the community were
honored with a standing ovation. The perfor-
mance itself, while an incredible display of
talent and information, was both a testimony
to the transformational education in multiple
subject areas and a tribute to the sacrifice of a
generation given to ensure freedom for people
around the world.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to have men and
women who actually served in WWII attend
’40s Day, for students, and for these amazing
seniors. Both getting to see a glimpse into their
different worlds, students and their new friends
from Nashville were so excited for this collabo-
ration,” explained Head of K-8 Rhonda Smith.
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