Silence fills the classroom. A bead of sweat rolls down freshman Meghan Adams’ face. She focuses intensely on the strokes of the brush, moving her hand ever so slightly. This isn’t any ordinary art project.

Adams and four other students, senior Haley Breedlove, junior Kirsten Angerbauer, senior Lauren Simpson, and freshman Mackenzie Barnes created patriotic artwork to be displayed at the Rambling Oak Assisted Living Center “Salute Our Veterans” ceremony on November 8, 2012. The ceremony honored fallen heroes and saluted the veterans of Highland Village.

Adams’ painted an American flag, while some of the other paintings were of the Statue of Liberty and Southern-style boots.

There were around 10 veterans present at the ceremony, Adams said. She herself is close with veterans and family members who have served for our country.

“My granddad was in the Army, three of my cousins are in the Navy, and two of my aunts [serve as] nurses,” Adams said. “One of my uncles is also in the Air Force and two of my cousins are training to be in the Army.”