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.
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| Katie Tovar, Cathy Shumard |
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| Dr. Kristen Rex, Jolynn Clarke |
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| Cathy Shumard, Leonard Moody, Norma Jean Coulter, Dr. Kristen Rex |
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| Jolynn Clarke introduces Leonard Moody |
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| Historymakers co-chair Diana Smith at microphone, Jolynn Clarke, Historymakers co-chair Diane Smith |
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.
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
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.
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