Sator Sanchez Elementary School Principal Amy Mucha (left) and Joliet District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse (right) were pleased to have Sator Sanchez great niece Amy Sanchez and great nephew Robert Sanchez and his children in attendance.
The gymnasium at Sator Sanchez Elementary School was a rainbow of red, white, and blue colors as over 750 students and staff celebrated Sator Sanchez Day at the Joliet grade school. The Joliet City Council proclaimed March 22nd, his birthday, as Sator Sierra “Sandy” Sanchez Day. Sator Sanchez would have turned 103-years-old this year.
Students celebrate the school’s namesake at an all-school assembly. The assembly included facts about Sator Sanchez, a video of a fighter jet like the plane Sator flew while he was in the U.S. Army, student poems, songs, and a dance, all celebrating Sator Sanchez. Family members of Sator Sanchez were also in attendance at the special event.
The students and staff wore red, white, and blue during the school day. Students had a chance to personalize American flag artwork to display at the school and received a medal to take home celebrating the heroes they are every day in school.
“It is so important for our students to know that our school was named after a hero,” said Sator Sanchez Elementary School Principal Amy Mucha, “Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating this special day.”