Parker students take
history to next level
Two Ocean Beach students and another from Point Loma were among 31 Francis Parker School pupils who participated in the San Diego County History Day Competition on Saturday, April 5.
All have advanced to the state History Day Competition from May 8 through May 11 in Sacramento, according to school officials.
The students researched and created seven Web sites, one performance piece, four historical papers, two exhibits and five documentaries covering 19 historical topics concentrating on the theme of “Conflict and Compromise.”
Ocean Beach students included Savannah Benes, 12, and Mackenzie Gaura, 10.
Benes was the documentary theme winner with “Alice Paul: Uncompromising Suffragette.”
Gaura was the Web site theme winner with “A Weapon Waiting to be Used: The WASPs Struggle for Recognition.”
From Point Loma, Marc Pelessone, 12, was the winner of the Bookhandler Award for Excellence in Writing, San Diego County Library Award for use of Primary Sources, with “Aligning with Hitler: An Inevitable Compromise.”
Local teacher wins national appointment
Patrick McElhaney, a Point Loma High School history teacher, has been selected by the John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs to participate in the 2008 Presidential Academy for American History and Civics.
Only one teacher from each state is selected for this program, according to school officials.
The Presidential Academy is a prestigious and highly competitive program designed for the best and brightest teachers of American history.
In mid- to late July, McElhaney will spend six days in Philadelphia, six days in Gettysburg and seven days in Washington D.C., studying the American Revolution and founding, the Civil War and the civil rights movement.
PLHS student selected
as Dell Scholar recipient
A Point Loma High School student has been selected among the winners of thew 2008 Dell Scholard program, provided by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
Chanvada Mak, who participates in the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, was awarded a $20,000 scholarship and a Dell laptop computer, according to school officials.
Dell Scholars is a college scholarship program for sending determined, low-income students to college.
The program recognizes students who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their education.
PLHS alum makes dean’s list at Washington U
Point Loma High School graduate Kevin Keith Yaeckel was recently named to the dean’s list for the 2007 fall semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Yaeckel is enrolled in the university’s school of engineering.
To qualify, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or better and be enrolled in at least 12 graded units.
Forum focus is teaching Vietnam War era
Residents will have a chance to learn about or revisit the Vietnam War when the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund sponsors a conference on how to bring lessons of Vietnam into the classroom.
The conference will be held Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s Command Museum. The Teach Vietnam Conference for Educators, while designed primarily for educators, is open to the public. The event will feature presentations by educators, veterans, family members and special guests. Sessions on both days run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topics of Friday’s sessions include “Illuminating the Vietnam War through Literature” and “The Transition Home: Fact or Fiction?”
Saturday’s presentations will focus on how to teach about the Vietnam War in the classroom and will include a guided tour of the museum and a panel discussion featuring Vietnam veterans. Tickets can be purchased on-site for $65 for both days or $40 for one day. For more information, call (619) 524-4426, or visit www.vvmf.org.