The Purple Star Program is designed to support military families in the community, and recognizes schools that excel in this area. Eureka High School is one of few schools in the area that has the program and designation.
Purple Star Schools support transitions for military children from school to school, provide resources such as designated staff to help the children, inform families on how to share information, offer professional development to help understand and support military-connected students and more.
Leslie Jackson, Class of 2026 Administrative Assistant, helps organize the EHS program.
“The importance of Veterans Day is being there and giving back to our American veterans who served in the military for any and all of the branches and to assure that they know we are still here for them,” Jackson said.
To connect with military families, the program relies on student and staff knowledge and referrals. The program also asks new students to determine eligibility.
Jackson is also active with other area programs that support veterans.
“I am a member of the Eureka-Pacific Elks Lodge, and within that veterans committee we do lots of things for the local American veterans,” Jackson said. “We provide bedding for them, apartments, and baskets of household items that they might need.”
In 2024, Eureka High School earned Purple Star designation from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“There was a very involved application process,” Jackson says, “So we’re quite proud that we were given the plaque and recognition for the Purple Star.”
According to the Missouri Purple Star website, there are many opportunities to support local veterans. Donations for clothes, food, and sometimes even vehicles, to writing cards, acknowledging their service, or even just a friendly smile and wave to acknowledge service.
Many veterans experience difficulty in transitioning from active duty to civilian life, so having programs and support systems can help with that transition.
“Be sure to support both the disabled and non-disabled American veterans within our community,” Jackson said. “And, of course, around the nation.”
