One of the Middle School’s most cherished learning opportunities returned this year, as grade 8 history students interviewed United States veterans for a project designed to preserve and honor their personal stories.

 

The unit culminated with a presentation last week, where many of the interviewed veterans came to St. Margaret’s to receive a gift and a copy of the transcript the grade 8 students put together during a gathering in the Fountain Courtyard.

 

More than 50 veterans or family members of veterans were interviewed, which for the grade 8 students brought a more personal understanding of U.S. history as well as built skills in interviewing, research and documentation. The classes are taught by Middle School assistant principal Mike Allison and Middle School history teacher Rob Lakeman.

 

Before presenting the transcripts and gifts, a small ceremony took place in St. Margaret’s Chapel. There, Middle School students Lia Frick and Caden Choi reflected on the project and welcomed a special guest speaker, United States Marine Corps veteran Sgt. Major Bill Pinkerton.

 

 “While some assignments can feel like a task to check of our homework list, this one was different for us,” Lia said. “It was much more than a task, it was something we understood as being very important; because it wasn’t about us, or about our grade. We knew it was more important than that. It was our way of saying thank you to each of you for what you have given to all of us.”

 

Added Caden: “To pass on your personal experiences to future generations may have been special to you, but we had the true honor of learning from you. We will keep your words of wisdom in our hearts as we journey through the next chapters of our lives.” 

 

United States history is a yearlong course for grade 8, where students gain a deeper understanding of the United States and deeper insight into the human condition. The course also lives out the service-learning theme to “respect the past and influence the future.”