A Gift of Service, Tradition, and Civic Pride
Friday, June 12th, 2026 | Seattle, Washington
Throughout the 2025-26 school year, St. Anne's 6th grade class has proudly served as the school's Flag Detail, raising and lowering the American flag each school day. Every morning and afternoon the St. Anne's community watches as our 6th grade students carry out this responsibility with respect, reverence, and a strong sense of civic duty.
As the school's flag became worn from daily use, Mr. Constantino contacted state leadership in Olympia and submitted a request for replacement flags. In response, the Washington Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, graciously dedicated and issued St. Anne School with two historic flags that were flown over the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia on May 28th, 2026.
The first is the Flag of the United States of America, "the Stars and Stripes," and the second is the Flag of the State of Washington, "the Evergreen." Both flags were formally presented to the 6th-grade class by Mr. Haffey and Mr. Constantino on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026. They are displayed in commemorative shadow boxes alongside official certificates from the Office of the Secretary of State verifying their flight over the Capitol Building in Olympia.
These flags will remain on display in the 6th grade homeroom as a lasting reminder of the importance of service, citizenship, tradition, and respect for our nation's symbols.
Mr. Constantino is a career educator with nearly two decades of experience serving students throughout Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Prior to entering education, he worked in both state and federal government service. His appreciation for civic responsibility is deeply rooted in his family's history of military and public service. His father served nearly thirty years in the U.S. Merchant Marines, the United States Army, and the Army Reserve. In honor of this legacy of service, the Constantino Family Foundation was established to support educational and civic initiatives.
As a proud member of the St. Anne community, Mr. Constantino is honored to support the 6th grade students in their leadership role and their daily commitment to properly raising and lowering the flag.
To learn more about the United States Flag Code and proper flag etiquette, please visit the American Legion's Flag Code webpage. The Flag Code emphasizes that the flag should be displayed with dignity and respect, hoisted briskly, lowered ceremoniously, and displayed during school days at every schoolhouse.
