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In her Grade 4-5 class at Lumby's J.W. Inglis Elementary School, teacher Jennie Currie's students shine as stars in a constellation.

The students have a chance to become the class' Star of the Week through exemplary achievements and behaviours, becoming one large group, or constellation, of stars over the year.

Now, it's Currie's turn to shine.

Currie was named recipient of the B.C. Retired Teachers Association's Gold Star Award for her involvement with her students in the No Stone Left Alone initiative, centred around Remembrance Day, where students in the Vernon School District place poppies on the graves of war veterans in the Vernon, Coldstream and Lumby cemeteries.

Since 2017, Currie and her class has participated in meaningful ceremonies at the Lumby Cemetery, honouring 115 veterans laid to rest there.

With her class on hand, Currie was presented with the Gold Star Award, a cheque, a bouquet of flowers, and a variety of cupcakes at the Lumby Cenotaph Thursday, June 5.

"I've been inspired by a lot of people in Lumby and their dedication to our community," said Currie in accepting the award. "It's really meaningful to be recognized, and hopefully it will continue to inspire our kids. We constantly talk about learning from the past to prepare us for the future. I hope they hold the message remembering close to their hearts."

The honour guard for Currie's presentation included Lumby Coun. Lori Mindnich; Cheryl Jennings, former Lumby teacher representing the B.C. Retired Teachers Association; Capt. Mike Uusoue from the B.C. Dragoons, Roy Turner and Rick Ritchie of the Royal Canadian Legion Lumby Branch No. 167, and Currie's longtime friend Lawrna Myers from the No Stone Left Alone program.

The program teaches students about Canada's war history, and has the students place poppies on the veterans' graves. Myers Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ who met her friend four decades ago when both were students at Charles Bloom Secondary School in the village Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ has been beside Currie at every event, through all kinds of weather patterns including rain, snow, and sun, since 2017.

"Jennie has remained unwavering," said Myers. "Her students show up prepared, respectful, and full of purpose because that's the example Jennie sets. 

Students recite the popular John McCrae poem from the First World War, In Flanders Fields, lay wreaths, place the poppies and read the names of the fallen out loud, giving them a closer connection with those who went before them.

It's not just a field trip, said Myers. It's a deeply moving act of remembrance that stays with the students long after the poppies are put on the grave markers.

"Jennie's efforts have created something lasting, not only in her classroom but in the broader Lumby community," said Myers. "Her commitment helps bridge generations, foster empathy, and teaches young people that remembrance is not just something we talk about once a year Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ it's something we do."