NHD Students visit with Carey Pena

 Norma Jean Coulter from Historical League writes, "National History Day AZ Students talk about their projects with Carey Pena of Center for Positive Media. The Historical League is grateful to Carey for taking time to encourage these students.

We are grateful too for League volunteers Cathy and Tom Shumard, NHD liasons and NHD teacher extraordinaire Stacey Trepanier who also attended and continue to work with NHD students.

Frank Barrios tribute featured on PBS with Carey Pena

 Thanks to Carey Pena for creating a lovely tribute to 2023 AZ Historymaker Frank Barrios.

PBS Horizon features Arizona Historymakers

 Enthusiastic about Arizona Historymakers™, Diana Smith and Carey Pena shared stories of the 2023 Historymakers on Arizona PBS Horizon. https://azpbs.org/horizon/2023/12/the-historical-league-names-this-years-historymakers/

Angel Delgadillo, 2023 Arizona Historymaker

 A Rock Star . . . Angel Delgadillo was labeled that by emcee Carey Pena at the October 14 Historymaker™ Celebration. She realized there was a line to see him at his Seligman Barber Shop every morning. Visitors from Brazil, France, Scotland - all wanting to meet the man who saved historic Route 66. Honored as 2023 Arizona Historymaker, he spoke of the ten year effort to make Route 66 a historic road. His is the story of one man who never gave up in the face of nearly unsurmountable challenges. He finally retired from his barbershop in 2022 at the age of 95.

Carey Pena reflects on Oct 14 2023 Historymakers Celebration

Emcee for the 2023 AZ Historymakers Celebration Carey Pena writes, "For the better part of this year, we've been working on this documentary project, and I was so happy to stand at the famed Arizona Heritage Center for the big reveal!

Nine people were recognized as the 2023 Historymakers - people who have shaped and changed this state for the better.

I learned so much from spending time with each one of the Honorees. The main lesson I learned is never to give up! To the Historical League, thank you for trusting me to tell these stories in a real and authentic way."

Emcee, journalist and inspiration herself, Carey Pena guided the 2023 Arizona Historymakers evening October 14, introducing and welcoming each honoree to the stage. Along with her company, Inspired Media 360, Carey has spent the last year interviewing and filming the honorees for the video presentation, giving us an insight into their lives and dedication.

Independent Newsmedia reporter Caroline Yu wrote, “During the presentation of the Historymakers’ trophies, Pena showed interviews with each of the honorees talking more about their stories, detailing their individual contributions to the state’s reputation. To start, Pena shared her experience getting to interview all of the Historymakers, talking about how her involvement has been meaningful to her career as a journalist and the importance of understanding history through others’ stories.

Across the interviews, she said the Historymakers all shared common themes, which were “abiding love of Arizona and its freedom from set ideas, a willingness to experiment with new ideas, a determination not to take ‘no’ as an answer, a love of the Arizona landscape, a love of the Arizona people and a strong sense of community service."

The 2023 Arizona Historymakers:

• Frank M. Barrios

• Michael M. Crow, Ph.D.

• Angel Delgadillo

• Dolan Ellis

• Honorable Terry Goddard

• Denise D. Resnik

• Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D.

• Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D.

• Mrs. Elizabeth J. White

Carey Pena reading Governor Hobbs Proclamation

Carey Pena and Mrs. Elizabeth White

Carey Pena with Denise Resnik

AZ Historymaker 2023 Dr. Von Hoff interviewed by Carey Pena

 Carey Pena comments after interviewing 2023 Arizona Historymaker™ Dr. Daniel Von Hoff: 

Standing with one of the world’s foremost oncologists Dr. Daniel Von Hoff. He rarely does interviews, but came to our studios as part of a documentary project we are producing for Historymakers. Dr. Von Hoff’s clinical trials led to 3 of the 4 new FDA-approved therapies that improve survival for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. He’s held many prestigious positions, including @tgenresearch and has devoted his life to finding cures. However, after interviewing Dr. Von Hoff, I am convinced his greatest gift is not his brilliance. It’s his compassion for people.