Assembly brings together literacy, service, and school community in honor of military-connected families.
Bountiful Elementary marked Purple Up Day with a major milestone: official recognition as a Purple Star school. The honor reflects the school’s work to create a welcoming, supportive environment for military-connected students and families, and the celebration brought that mission to life through literacy, student leadership, and powerful guest speakers.
During the school’s Purple Up Day assembly, students and staff wore purple and came together for a program centered on courage, service, and connection. Erin Webster of Davis School District presented Bountiful Elementary with its Purple Star recognition, marking a proud moment for the entire Bobcat community.
The celebration also tied directly into this year’s One Book, One Bountiful reading experience featuring Duke by Kirby Larson. Chosen for its themes of bravery, loyalty, and resilience, the novel helped students explore the experiences of military families through a shared story. Students also viewed a special video message from Kirby Larson, creating a connection between the author, the book, and the day’s celebration.
Librarian Tara Berge shared why Duke was such a meaningful choice for the school:
“When our entire school reads the same book, we build a community of readers—students and teachers connecting through characters, ideas, and conversations that might not happen otherwise. We selected Duke because it teaches about bravery and courage. We learn that we can all do hard things. It was also a great book to celebrate our students who have family serving in the military!”
Students also heard from Clifton I. Johnson, an active military member and Bountiful Elementary parent, who spoke about what military service means to him and shared some of his personal experiences. His message carried special meaning as the father of two Bountiful students, a fourth grader and a kindergartener.
Another assembly highlight came from Carlos Kubischta, who served eight years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces Military Working Dog Trainer. He brought one of his canines for a demonstration, giving students a powerful real-world connection to the themes of Duke. Just as the book helped students explore courage, loyalty, and service through the story of a military dog, the live demonstration helped bring those ideas to life in a memorable way.
Purple Up Day at Bountiful Elementary was more than a spirit day. It was a celebration of service, a shared reading experience, and a proud milestone for a school community that continues to show up for military families in meaningful ways.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make the day so memorable, and we thank the military families in our Bobcat community for their service, sacrifice, and strength.