A dedicated educator from Riverside High School, Jenny Cavell, has been awarded the prestigious title of High School Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). This recognition highlights her extensive efforts to foster connections between the school and veteran communities throughout her 25-year teaching career.
Cavell’s initiatives include organizing events like the annual Veterans Day brunch and facilitating interactions between students and local veteran posts. She aims to honor those who have served, and her work has made a significant impact on both students and veterans alike. As a result of this honor, she is now eligible to compete for the national VFW Teacher of the Year award.
The nomination for this accolade came from Leroy-Thompson VFW Post 7939, suggested by fellow teacher Jody Calhoun, who described Cavell’s contributions as a “no-brainer.” Calhoun emphasized Cavell’s ongoing commitment to the community, noting, “Jenny has done so much… it was an easy nomination.”
Cavell serves as the chair of the social studies department and acts as a military family liaison at the school. Although her liaison role is informal, she maintains contacts with local VFW and American Legion posts to promote scholarships and opportunities for students. These interactions not only provide support for students but also demonstrate the ways veterans continue to contribute to their communities.
Her notable projects include the establishment of a Veterans Memorial on the high school campus, featuring an outdoor Wall of Honor and an indoor touchscreen kiosk that honors those who have served in the military. Initiating the Veterans Day brunch eleven years ago, Cavell was inspired by the Honor Flight program, which transports World War II veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C.
“I proposed my idea to bring the veterans into the building, have students read letters of gratitude, and provide them lunch,” she explained. “I thought that just hearing the words ‘thank you’ from our students could be a small way to honor their service.”
Cavell also plays a crucial role in the school’s military signing day, celebrating students who plan to enlist after graduation. Her own appreciation for military service is deeply rooted in her family history; her father is a U.S. Navy veteran, and her grandfather served as a nose gunner during World War II.
“What is remarkable is that not only did he survive that as an 18-year-old, he came home and raised his family,” Cavell shared. “He is a huge part of this for me. It’s a way to honor him.”
Riverside Principal Mike Hall acknowledged Cavell’s integral role in linking the school with military and veteran communities, stating, “She’s the catalyst behind it. You have to have people like this.” He highlighted the community’s support through donations and volunteer efforts that have made her veteran-focused projects possible.
Cavell expressed her hope that the events held at Riverside High School convey appreciation for the freedoms afforded by veterans. “They deserve to be thanked and they deserve our support,” she stated.
The recognition from the Ohio VFW is a testament to Cavell’s dedication and passion for honoring those who have served. Her contributions have not only enriched the lives of her students but also strengthened the bonds between the school and the greater community.
