LIHUE — Being a veteran means putting your country first, said Deanna Sloger, an Island School senior who was crowned Miss Kauai Veteran on Wednesday. “It means putting your desires aside,” said Sloger, daughter of Thom and Dora Sloger. “And
LIHUE — Being a veteran means putting your country first, said Deanna Sloger, an Island School senior who was crowned Miss Kauai Veteran on Wednesday.
“It means putting your desires aside,” said Sloger, daughter of Thom and Dora Sloger. “And doing your duty whole-heartedly.”
Charlene Dorsey, secretary of the Kauai Veterans Museum, officiated over the ceremony held during the Kauai Veterans Council at the Kauai Veterans Center.
“Your most important duty is to represent the veterans during the Veterans Day parade which will take place, Nov. 8 in Kapaa,” Dorsey said. “You will also represent the veterans during the annual Veterans Day service which will take place on Nov. 11 at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetary.”
Sloger said the coronation capped a busy and exciting day.
“It started out with a calculus quiz,” she said. “Then, there was the air riflery match in Kapaa where I was hoping to break 200, today. I was very happy with my results in the standing phase.”
Deanna said she broke 200 at practice Tuesday and was hoping to duplicate the feat during the match against Kapaa.
“But she crumbled in the kneeling phase,” said Thom, her father and a coach with the Island School air riflery team. “It must have been from the excitement of being crowned Miss Kauai Veteran.”
Deanna said she heard about the position during a school announcement, and picked up an application.
“When I got home, my mom handed me an application,” Deanna said. “That must have been a sign. I filled out the application and waited.”
In addition to the air riflery team, Deanna is also part of the robotics team and will try out for a role in the school’s spring play.
“I’m also on the cross country team, but I won’t be running during the championship because I’ll be on a college tour,” Deanna said.
Following graduation, Deanna plans on attending Simpson University in Redding, California, working on a dual major of biology and outdoor leadership.
Deanna said she’s attended the Veterans Day parade before, but has never been to the Veterans Day service.
“This should be a fun experience,” she said.
