Students and teachers from every grade level welcomed the veterans, carrying flags and signs honoring their service.

ADAMS, Mass. — Students at Hoosac Valley Middle and High School filled the halls Thursday afternoon to welcome local veterans to a Halls of Honor event to mark Veterans Day.

Erica Girgenti, the school's family and community engagement coordinator, said more than 30 veterans from the community registered for the event. The event was held on Thursday rather than Friday, as the school is closed for the holiday.

The students decorated the walls of the building with paper chain links, on which they wrote the names of veterans and active service members who they know.

"I'm so proud of them," Girgenti said of the students as the veterans walked the halls of the school. "They were all so excited to do this."

The high school band welcomed the veterans by playing music before they entered. From there, the guests walked through the school, where school administrators, students and teachers from every grade level welcomed them, carrying flags and signs honoring their service.

Girgenti said this is the first time they have done an event like this, but she is hopeful it won't be the last. In addition to the event at the middle and high school, she said students at Hoosac Valley Elementary School also got involved in the holiday.

"At the elementary level, several of our classes are making handmade cards to give to our local veterans through the senior center's meal programs," Girgenti said.