Monday, September 23, 2024

Diana Gregory Foundation Honorees

 Each year the Diana Gregory Foundation honors two senior citizens who have made great contributions in their community. Historical League member Dr. Josephine Pete was honored this year.

Pictures from Norma Jean Coulter.

Attending the event are Historical League members Norma Jean Coulter with Dr. Josephine Pete, and Cathy and Tom Shumard


Dr. Josephine Pete, one of today’s honorees.


Guest speaker Andrew Young, 92 yr old former Atlanta mayor, U.S. representative, ambassador, guest speaker

Mrs. Elizabeth White, 102 yr old former honoree and 2023 Arizona Historymaker. Lady in red with Mrs. White is 104 yr old WW II army nurse who is also honorary mascot for Tuskegee airmen Arizona Chapter.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

September 2024: First meeting of the year

 What new adventures will we have this year with the Historical League? Our September meeting was filled with plans as well as renewing friendships after the summer.

Katie Tovar, Cathy Shumard


Dr. Kristen Rex, Jolynn Clarke

Cathy Shumard, Leonard Moody, Norma Jean Coulter, Dr. Kristen Rex

The successes of AZ students at National History Day were celebrated as Dr. Kristen Rex was enthusiastic about the event held in June in Maryland. At the Sept. 6 Historical League meeting, we listened to her and NHDAZ co-ordinator Leonard Moody's experiences.



Leonard Moody
Jolynn Clarke introduces Leonard Moody

Plans for the 2025 Arizona Historymakers Honorees are happening now! Co-chair Diana Smith filled us in on nominations at the September 6 Historical League meeting. Lots of excitement and work ahead. Seated Jolynn Clarke and Historymakers co-chair Diane Smith.

Monday, September 9, 2024

Dr. Josie Pete attends NHD in Wash. D.C.

On the morning of June 12, I arrived at the National Museum of the African American History, where I was greeted by Dave and Diana Smith! What a wonderful surprise! 

We agreed the excitement and enthusiasm of the hundreds of students in attendance was contagious. It was rewarding to witness the skills and talent demonstrated by the students. The relevance of the research and maturity level of the topics was a testament to the time and effort dedicated to the production of these projects.

I later found Nathan Davies-Venn and his family. His documentary was shown in the theater in the morning. I was proud to meet this talented young man, who did an admirable job of representing Arizona. Nathan’s documentary was on the life of Henrietta Lacks. This experience was sobering in clarifying our role to ensure history is documented and understood by our students. 


The Historical League provides a beacon of hope ensuring that these young people continue to be encouraged and are supported in their educational pursuits.

 

A special thank you to Cathy Shumard, who kept me updated on the National History Day events.


From June 2024 Historical League Old Ned Newsletter

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Diana and David Smith attend NHD National Competition

 Attending the National History Day awards ceremony at the University of Maryland was truly an exhilarating five-hour experience for my husband, David, and me. More than 2,000 students recognized some of the most noteworthy turning point history in the world and celebrated its important impact on our lives. We credit the teachers and students' families, the national and state organizers and especially the hours of work everyone dedicated to making June 2024's event inspiring.

Who/what did we see? More than 2,000 students receiving and being recognized for outstanding work on the 2024 theme—Turning Points in History. We witnessed their enthusiasm to share with everyone why they chose their topic.


Our impression of NHD? A well coordinated effort to recognize students --Junior High Division and High School Division competitions—for their work creating their projects. The team efforts and support of friends cheering their classmates and others from their state was so personally heartwarming. Dave and I believe the students enjoyed NHD. We met many of the students

during a day at Smithsonian's Museum of American History, where selected exhibits were on display. The students hosted visitors and explained their exhibit to all. We saw a wide range of topics (turning points in history) and were able to hear from the students how and why they selected that theme.


Students were advocates for their project—very willing to explain, defend and interact with all visitors. Many of the exhibit projects were done by two or three students working together, and they said they became better friends because of the project.


We met students at the African American Museum where the documentary projects were showcased. Their enthusiasm and focus on their projects and pride of featuring their theme were infectious.


We would definitely go again!

From Old Ned Newsletter June 2024


Monday, September 2, 2024

ASU West selects Tastes & Treasures II for their Valley Common Read Initiative

The League is honored that ASU West has selected our cookbook for their Valley Common Read Initiative with incoming freshmen this fall. The school is purchasing 1,150 books. Along with donating books to AHS Certified Historical Institutions CHIs, it means that we are nearing a complete sell-out of Tastes & Treasures II.

ASU website describes Common Read:

The Common Read is a book selected by committee that the entire first year students at ASU West Valley campus read. The intent is to engage and stir the minds of our students. With all the students reading the same book it fosters student growth. The books may require students to question their belief system, relate to others and build community.



Friday, August 30, 2024

NHDAZ student Owen Yin writes Thank You note

 A feel good Thank YOU note from National History Day AZ student:

My name is Owen Yin. I wanted to thank you for providing the NHDAZ team with shirts, hats, pins, and other goodies.
Thank you for the cash gift, which was much appreciated and was used for our travel expenses. This was an amazing experience being my first time and I can't believe I actually made it as a finalist! It was really cool to see people from all over the world coming together to compete in a subject we are all passionate about. I enjoyed trading pins and collaborating with the NHDAZ team to collect the entirety of the countries and states that competed. I am already looking forward to next year! Thanks again for your support,
Owen Yin
Junior Website: Prescription for Deceit: Arthur Sackler’s Oxycontin and the Birth of Modern Pharmaceutical Marketing
Owen Yin and Adrian Piel in front of th Arizona Statue of Father Kino at the U.S. Capital Visitor Center Emancipation Hall