A special ceremony was held at Pella High School Wednesday to celebrate a donation from a local veterans group to the district.

American Legion Post 89 donated 175 U.S.Flags to every classroom, a project that started with Pella Student Council Member Maddie Schmitz at the beginning of the school year. Following a new, bi-partisan state law that required schools to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited daily, Schmitz had noticed the school did not have flags for the occasion.

Schmitz was among those who spoke, which also included Governor Kim Reynolds, U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Senator Joni Ernst’s Regional Director Jake Hollinrake, and Pella Mayor Don DeWaard. Pella High School Principal Adam Beckel and American Legion Post 89 Commander Don DeKock hosted the ceremony, which started with the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of the Star Spangled Banner by the Pella High School Concert Band.

Hear more from Schmitz about her role in the donation and flag ceremony on the Let’s Talk Pella podcast.