About the Poquoson Veterans Project
The project is a "labor of love" created and run by Mrs. Becky Morrison, an 11th grade U.S. history teacher at Poquoson High School.
in the summer of 2017, Mrs. Morrison was one of 48 teachers selected nationwide to participate in the Friends of the National World War II Memorial's 2nd Annual Teachers Conference in Washington, D.C. At the end of the week long conference, teachers were charged with bringing a WWII-centered community service project back to their schools, so Mrs. Morrison used her train ride home to consider what kind of project she could begin with her students at Poquoson High School. Thus, that night on the train, the Poquoson Veterans Project began to take shape.
It all started...
What we do
Mrs. Morrison's Advanced Placement United States History students are paired with American military veterans, whereby students "adopt" a veteran. The students interview their assigned veteran and create a written, video, and map history of their veteran's journey through military service and his or her impact on world events that the students learn about in the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to take a field trip to Washington, D.C. alongside their veteran and visit the memorial pertinent to their veteran's war. In addition to the academic activities, students and their veterans participate in many community events such as, sporting events and parades, whereby involving and educating the entire community.
Goals
The project's most important goal is to bridge the gap and build relationships between the high school students and their veterans, while educating both the students and the community of the significance of these and all veterans' sacrifices. By expanding beyond the walls of the classroom, the project allows students to demonstrate what they are learning in school in a meaningful way in their community, promoting community engagement and civic responsibility. This aspect of the project provides a key component of the Virginia Board of Education's "Profile of a Graduate" platform, whereby the hope is to instill foundations of good character and citizenship in the state's graduates.
Expansions in the 2018-2019 Project
This school year, in the project's second year, Mrs. Morrison was able to include more veterans of all eras of United States military service, beyond the previous year's scope of WWII, Vietnam, and Korea. The project has also expanded in numbers, as this year's number of veterans exceeds 50, a sizable increase from the previous 35. Such an increase in veterans required an increase in students, as well, so Mrs. Richey's 11th grade Advanced Placement English Language and Composition students will join Mrs. Morrison's students this year.
Awards and Notoriety
The Poquoson Veterans Project was awarded The National Outstanding Community Service Project Award in for the 2017-2018 school year by the The Friends of the National World War II Memorial. In September 2018, a videographer from the The Friends of the National World War II Memorial will film the project's inclusion in Poquoson High's homecoming festivities and the students' interviews with their veterans for a national commercial. Additionally, the project has received considerable local media attention with considerable coverage in the Daily Press (below) and through WHRO's Education Now video series (see "Videos" tab).
In the news:
"Pictures: Poquoson Veterans Project"
"Poquoson High students interview veterans to learn about history, military service" - Oct. 4, 2018
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"Poquoson football game supports community veterans project" - Sept. 29, 2018
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US 106.1 live at PHS on Facebook, interview with Mrs. Morrison - Sept. 26, 2018
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"Call to veterans: Get adopted by a Poquoson high schooler" - Aug. 21, 2018
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"Poquoson Veterans Project at the Poquoson Museum" - May 5, 2018
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"Poquoson veterans appreciate response from football fans" - Nov. 5, 2017
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"Veterans take part in Poquoson Homecoming Parade" - Oct. 13, 2017
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"Poquoson students connect with veterans for class project" - Oct. 4, 2017