Courtesy Highlands Elementary on Facebook
APPLETON — Victoria Quintana Hernandez, second grader at Highlands Elementary School in Appleton School, has talked about her cousin, Ivan Quintana, since the beginning of the school year.
Last November students learned about the history and importance of Veteran’s Day during Inquiry Social Studies.
Victoria embraced these lessons and shared a picture of Ivan and expressed how much she missed him.
Then last Monday, May 22, Ivan surprised Victoria during the school day, according to a Facebook post shared by the school.
He joined Victoria’s second grade classmates in Mrs. Nussbaum’s classroom.
Ivan spent time with Victoria’s classmates and talked about basic training and his job responsibilities in the military.
Ivan also emphasized that although he has to make sacrifices and be away from his family for long periods of time, he is honored to be a Marine and serve and protect our country.
“It was a powerful and memorable learning experience for the students and adults in the classroom,” read the Facebook post. “What a perfect lesson to start the Memorial Day holiday! Thank you, Ivan and Victoria.”
