Towards the beginning of the year, third grade students at Woodland Heights Elementary School, in Brownwood were given the opportunity to file a job application to earn a position on the Woodland Heights Color Guard. The Color Guard members are responsible for raising the United States and Texas Flags each morning in front of the school, as well as retiring and properly folding them each afternoon.
The purpose of the program was to get children involved in volunteering, to instill patriotism, to teach them proper flag etiquette, and to expose them to the steps needed in acquiring a job.
Job notices were posted throughout the school, announcing the Color Guard job openings and explaining where to pick up a job application, what the requirements were, what to do with the completed form, and when the deadline was.
While certainly more basic, the applications were modeled after actual job applications in the real world. The application form was broken down into four categories: Personal Information, Education & Experience, Skills & Qualifications, and References.
The first section merely asked for their first and last name and asked if they rode the bus or a daycare van. Bus and daycare riders were not eligible, as these students have to assemble in pickup areas early, which would interfere with flag duties.
The Education & Experience section asked for the student’s current grade and the name of their homeroom teacher. It also asked if they had ever properly folded a flag and if they had ever been a Brownie or Cub Scout.
In the Skills & Qualifications section, students were asked if they were dependable, if they were patriotic, if they were respectful, and if they maintained a position on the A-B or A Honor Roll. Students who did not make at least A’s and B’s were not eligible.
The final section asked the student to list two Woodland Heights staff members (other than their current teacher) who could vouch for their good character.
When the deadline arrived, the applications were reviewed. Applications from ineligible students and incomplete or improperly filled out forms were removed from the pool. The remaining students were hired and were assigned to a team. Each team is responsible for the Woodland Heights flags for a six week period.
The 2011-2012 Woodland Heights Color Guard is as follows:
1st Six Weeks: Blaize Espinoza, Brian Healer, and John Monson
2nd Six Weeks: Hunter Day, Diego Lopez, and Trinidi DeLeon
3rd Six Weeks: Jacob Miller, Jaiden Mason, and Lexi Castillo
4th Six Weeks: Jackson Daniel, Caiden Mason, Blake Brasher, and Alyssa Salazar
5th Six Weeks: Brayden Yazell, Erica Talamantez, Christian Fijer, and Angela Romero
6th Six Weeks: John Martinez, Alexis Wilch, and Trevor Bowers.
Pictured above, color guard members Jaiden Mason, Lexi Castillo, and Jacob Davis retire the flags at the end of the school day. Photo contributed.
