Holton Community Honors the Fallen Through Service at Arlington National Cemetery

On a rainy Saturday morning, May 23, Holton students, parents, and volunteers gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a meaningful service event in partnership with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.

Working alongside foundation volunteers, Holton community members helped unload, unpack, trim, and distribute flowers throughout the cemetery. Several students also took quiet moments to lay roses on individual graves, offering a personal tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country.

The morning ran smoothly thanks in large part to the invaluable behind-the-scenes coordination of alumna Brenda Gray Reny '74, with the support from Marcia Johnson Bateson '75.

The day offered students more than an opportunity to serve. Memorial Day Flowers Foundation Board Chair Maggie Sheedy spoke to the group about nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and the mechanics of 501(c)(3) organizations—bringing the foundation's mission to life through firsthand conversation. Students also heard about the journey a flower takes from farm to grave, learning about growing and harvesting practices, global transportation logistics, and the international flower market.

Organizers praised the students for their energy, their work ethic, and the thoughtfulness of their questions throughout the morning—a reflection of the values Holton works to instill year-round.