BETHEL — Telstar Regional High School students learned of the importance of participation in elections and community, as well as provided some of that participation at a special assembly on Friday when local veterans were honored and local candidates spoke on the value of public service.

Michael Cintron, Anna Saucier, Kurt Mason and Gabi Conrad read brief military biographies of about a dozen local veterans who had served the country as a career or for a few years:

Norman Clanton worked in nuclear testing, Bethel Town Manager Jim Doar served in the U.S. Army in fire support, Oxford County administrator Scott Cole served in Honduras, James Lenney worked at the Pentagon, David LeClerc served in military intelligence, Steve Wight served in munitions management in Vietnam, middle school Principal Clark Rafford worked with missiles and nuclear safety, Peter Pepin was a pilot, Bob McCartney was assigned to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Sylvia Clanton served in Japan, and Richard Grover served in Vietnam.

“We take for granted the security we have. These are the people who keep us safe,” Saucier said.

“We want to thank all who have served and to honor all who have,” Cintron said. “On behalf of the sophomore class and all of Telstar High School, we thank you.”

Students also learned how they could be better citizens from legislative candidate Michael Broderick, who is running against incumbent Jarrod Crockett, incumbent Oxford County Commissioner Steve Merrill, who is challenged by Charleen Chase, and Oxford County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tim Holland.

Merrill said every vote counted, citing a tied vote in Paris and Norway when a referendum question asked whether the two towns’ police departments should merge. In one of his own elections, he won by just 24 votes.

“Your vote does count,” he said. “It’s your future, your life and your decision.”

Broderick advised students to make being aware and knowing the issues a daily consideration.

“The founders of our country were incredibly visionary in establishing the Constitution and the ability to change the rules, Voting is not just a right, but a responsibility,” he said.

Holland said life is made up of daily decisions.

“Everyone of us is dealt with a different deck of cards. Life is what you make it,” he said. You’ve got to deal with problems whether you’re 70 years old or 12 or 14 years old.”

Principal Dan Hart named Jessica Kelly, a sophomore, as underclassman Student of the Month and senior Kevin Annis as upperclassman Student of the Month.

He said Telstar had two firsts so far this year — the school’s first girls’ varsity soccer team and the first victory for the varsity football team.