







Frankton High School unveils historical marker for local community member
Frankton's History Club (IN) at the unveiling of their historical marker for May Berry, who was born and raised in Frankton, then enlisted to serve in the Red Cross as a nurse during WWI and died in France. This marker was made possible through the Club's work with the Pomeroy Foundation.
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Brownsburg High School pays tribute to local veterans
Brownsburg's History Club (IN) was able to construct a memorial to honor the local veterans of the town, which now sits at the entrance of the school for all to see. Much of the community was also involved in the project and the development of the memorial was a two year process that was finished in incredible time through the hard work and dedication of the Club members and sponsors. This monument was made possible through generous donations from Brownsburg Education Foundation and the Hendricks County Community Foundation. The Club also had support from the American Legion in Brownsburg, who donated brass medallions for the memorials and even had a representative at the unveiling who spoke on behalf of the organization. The memorial will serve as a place for members of the community to come and pay tribute to the veterans that have served for their country.
Local History: Long Island's connection with the American Revolution
Manhasset High School's (NY) History Honor Society welcomed Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, the Director of Education at the Raynham Hall Museum, to their school this past October for a presentation about the American Revolution on Long Island. Ms. Lake-Jedzinak helped students understand more about what life was like back in Oyster Bay in Colonial America through the lens of four townspeople.
Studying the Gilded Age
Richlands High School (VA) traveled to the Biltmore Estate in historic Asheville, North Carolina. Built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, this Estate is the largest privately owned house in the United States and is one of the most prominent examples of Gilded Age mansions.
"Oppenheimer"
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (NJ) welcomed guest speaker, Charles Oppenheimer, the grandson of J. Robert Oppenheimer, to speak about his grandfather's legacy with the Manhattan Project and debunk some myths that were mentioned in the recent blockbuster movie "Oppenheimer."
Red Bank (NJ) celebrates Black History Month
Red Bank Regional’s (RBR) diversity and talents were on full display at its annual celebratory assembly for Black History Month. Students from various groups within the school contributed their time and skills to enlighten their peers on the importance of celebrating Black History. Principal Risa Clay welcomed her school and explained the origins of Black History Month which was initiated by Harvard Historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson during the month of February, the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, extremely influential leaders in African American History.
The Multicultural Club presented a summary of the evolution of Black music from the 1950s to the 1990s highlighting such musical icons as Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, James Brown and Whitney Houston among so many others. The students also gave a demonstration on “Stepping”, popularized by Greek fraternities in historically black colleges which, like many other African-American inventions, spread to the greater American culture. The History Club highlighted the lives of “Unsung Heroes” of the Civil Rights era including such heroes and heroines as Dorothy Irene Height, Bayard Rustin, Daisy Bates, and Medgar Evers to name a few. The RBR Visual & Performing Artists entertained their peers with a multitude of modems. The Strings Ensemble Presented “Amazing Grace” and “Movement and Blues”.
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Speaking not just to the past but to the future and personal responsibility was the keynote speaker Julius Clark. The Vice Principal of Red Bank Middle School is an icon among many of the students at RBR who he mentored through their middle school years. Mr. Clark’s message was powerful and blunt. He warned the students against accepting stereotypes of people and using such as an excuse to fail. He stated, “I do not let my color, or what people (might) think of me, to define who I am. You determine what others will think of you (by your actions).” Admitting that, like other young black men, he encountered racism, but it was a challenge that he overcame. Never did he resort to violence, stating, “That is what they were looking for.” Instead his response was to achieve his bachelor’s degree, then his masters and at the age of 31, the position of Vice Principal and he added, “And I still have much more to accomplish.”
He ended his speech with a demonstration asking all the students to stand and reach as high as they could. Then he asked them to reach a little higher, stating, “Just know that when you think you have reached your capacity, you could always go a little higher.”
​Local History - Rainier Jr/Sr High School (OR)
Rainier Jr/Sr. High School (OR) held their 12th annual Rainier Revisited day this past April, for community members to get a look at life in 1853 in their town. Students dressed up in period era attire, presented period era crafts, and even held a hands-on blacksmith demonstration.