The Sullivan West Class of 2030 unveiled three engraved bluestone benches last Thursday evening at the Fremont Center Veterans Memorial Park, completing an Eighth-Grade Capstone Project that combined fundraising, public speaking and community service while honoring local veterans.

Students helped design the benches, selected quotations for the engravings, presented the project to local officials and organized fundraisers to bring the memorial to life.

The project also brought Fremont Center one step closer to fulfilling a vision long championed by the late Dennis Bernitt. His daughter, Tonya Dirie, said her father had worked for years to establish a veterans memorial before his death in 2023. She said the new benches helped carry that effort forward.

“This was originally his idea, his concept, and he left us way too early,” organizer Kathy Hillriegel said during the ceremony. “I promised him that I would follow through and do the best that I could in order to honor him.”

Three students—Ava Steppich, Ashlen Siglakis and Allie Hellerer—addressed the crowd on behalf of their classmates.

Hellerer said the project was especially meaningful because her grandfather, Arthur Hellerer, served in the U.S. Navy.

“Every veteran has someone who loves them and appreciates them,” Hellerer said. “Our class is honored to leave behind something that will serve our community for years to come.”

She said the project taught students leadership, communication, teamwork and public-speaking skills while giving them opportunities to make phone calls, write emails, solve problems and present before the Fremont Town Board.

Students raised money through a walkathon, a pie-in-the-face fundraiser and community donations. Siglakis, who worked on fundraising, said reaching agreement among more than 100 classmates was one of the project’s biggest challenges.

“These three benches are here, and they’re here to stay,” Siglakis said. “They represent not only the veterans, but teamwork, determination and the generosity of everyone who supported us.”

Steppich said presenting the proposal to local officials helped build her confidence.

“This experience has helped me become a better public speaker and proved that even though we are young, our voices can truly make a difference in our community,” she said.

She said the benches were carved from solid stone to symbolize a permanent expression of gratitude.

“Our hope is that when anyone sits here, they will feel the respect of a generation that is proud, grateful and will never forget our brave veterans,” Steppich said.

John Farnsworth of Galloping Horse Design, which completed the engraving work, attended the ceremony and spoke about the stone used in the project. As the company takes on more memorial projects, Farnsworth said the response from families and community members has given the work a deeper meaning.

“I’ll never forget the feeling I get from people doing this work,” Farnsworth said.

During the ceremony, organizers also thanked the Fremont Center Parade Committee, local businesses and community members whose support helped make the project possible.

Following a countdown, students and organizers removed the coverings from the benches as those gathered applauded.

Sullivan West Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler praised the students’ presentations.

“Their speeches were well-executed, well-prepared and from the heart,” Bressler said.