The Many Volunteers at NHDAZ State Competition

Smiling faces greeted the students for NHDAZ State Competition at the check in table at South Mountain Community College April 11. Thanks to Historical League volunteers Robin Ferguson, Melissa Johnson, Margaret Baker and Pam denDraak for helping make the day go smoothly. There were a total of fourteen Historical League members helping as judges, greeters, photographers and with whatever needed to be done. 

Many Historical League members spent the day as judges and it was an intense, very satisfying time for them.

Meeting the students and encouraging their work is a big part of the day.

February filled with Friendship, Fun, Food . . . Music and History at our meeting

Celebrating friendship and Valentine's Day, the tables were decorated in hearts (thanks to Sandra Loeffler) awaiting the delicious lunch from Creations by Sergio. 

Thanks to a very generous member (anonymous) who offered to pay for everyone's February 3rd lunch as a gift to the membership.  

Thanks to Jolynn Clarke for organizing, Mary Perona and Katie Tovar for the pictures.

 

The Menu:

     Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

     Croissants with Butter

     Roasted Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Prickly Pear Vinaigrette Dressing

     Almond Macroons

Pat Faur, Pam den Draak, Anne Lupica

Pat Christopherson, Sandra Loeffler

Dr. Josephine Pete, Carolyn Mendoza

Historymaker Chair Diana Smith & Chris Hackett

Jan Muray, Lindy Isacksen, Mary McMahon, Emily Burns

Jan Murray and Norma Jean Coulter

Jolynn Clarke and Carolyn Mendoza

Joyce 'the Voice' Bailey, Mary Parker, Norma Hinton, guest Judy Hughes

Karen Belt, Josie Pete, Clede Gorrell, Linda Fritsch

NHDAZ co-ordinator Leonard Moody and Norma Jean Coulter

AHS Special Projects Todd Bailey, Anne Lupica, Pam denDraak, Pat Faur

Pat Christopherson, Josie Pete

Happy Birthday to Mary Parker

Joyce "the Voice" Bailey was guest speaker at the February Historical League meeting. Members were enthusiastic about her presentation. 

Katie Tovar comments, "She told us the story of her family’s migration from Mississippi to Mesa after WWII. She told us about the dual role faith and music played in her life. She sang two original songs and the spiritual "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize".

Joyce is a singer who has given concerts and led choirs in the Phoenix area for many years. She is also an educator. She taught music in grades K-8 in the Roosevelt school district for 30 years and then at a charter school in North Phoenix for another 16. She is an aficionado of gospel, blues, and jazz to name a few genres. She is also a song writer and in her spare time, she enjoys karaoke nights that begin and end early. We know her not only as a Historical League member, but also as the mother of our very own Todd Bailey who welcomes people to the Arizona Heritage Center every day.

Karen Belt and Emily Burns

Guest Judy Hughes with Mary Parker, Zona Lorig, Chris Hackett

Hassayampa Inn for lunch during Historical League October tour

 Historic Hassayampa Inn is a great place for lunch in Prescott. Our tours always include delicious food!

Thanks to Josie Pete for great photos!

Tour to Prescott Museum of Indigenous People

 No better way to enjoy a tour to Prescott's Museum of Indigenous People than in the company of Historical League members! The October tour was well attended, fun on the bus and educational at the museum with Executive Director Manuel Lucero IV speaking.

Cathy Shumard commented, "Manuel's storytelling and humor easily held our attention."

Thanks to Josie Pete for the great photos!

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