Teenage Students Right Historical Wrong
Chicago area teenagers help to reopen 40-year-old Mississippi Burning Case; uncover the identity of mysterious "Mr. X."
Washington (PRWEB) June 7, 2005 -- On June 13, a trial will begin in
Mississippi for Edgar Ray Killen, an accused murderer of three young civil
rights workers in 1964; two generations and 700 miles away, three Chicago
teenagers are to thankful for their role in reopening the 40-year-old case the
FBI named “Mississippi Burning.”
Sarah Siegel, Allison Nichols and
Brittany Saltiel, all 16, will be many miles from the Mississippi courtroom, but
their National History Day documentary provided critical evidence for the
prosecution of Killen, a reputed Klu Klux Klan member. The students also helped
to confirm the identity of "Mr. X," the person who informed the FBI where the
bodies of the victims were buried.
“This was a milestone for American
justice. I could not be more proud of the interests and dedication of these
young women,” Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) said.
For
their documentary, "We Are Not Afraid," the students studied over 2,000 pages of
court trial transcripts and interviewed victim's family members, government
officials and secured a rare phone interview with Killen, the FBI's prime
suspect for the murders of Michael Schwerner, 24, Andrew Goodman, 20, and James
Chaney, 21.
“It is encouraging to see that so many other people are
interested in keeping the memories of Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney alive,” said
student Allison Nichols. “This has been an amazing experience.”
“Their
research has not only improved our understanding of history, it has helped make
history,” Rep. Miller (D-CA) said.
After news of Killen’s arraignment on
murder charges was released in early January, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a Civil
Rights worker who knew all three victims, credited the students for playing an
important role in reopening of the case.
“The role these National History
Day students have played in reopening this case is amazing,” said Cathy Gorn,
executive director of NHD. “But it is in the tradition of National History Day
to have students literally make history and we are happy that this program
inspires students to go beyond what they have read.”
Through NHD,
students develop critical thinking and research skills by creating exhibits,
performances, documentaries and papers they enter in competitions at the
district, state and national levels. The Mississippi Burning case isn’t the only
NHD project that has made history; recent student projects include:
A
project by Hunter Scott in Pensacola, Florida on Capt McVay of the USS
Indianapolis and lead to the overturning of McVay’s court martial and Governor
Bush of Florida naming a day after Hunter.
In 2000, four students from
Uniontown, Kansas discovered the forgotten story of Irena Sendler, a Holocaust
hero who saved the lives of 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto. The students
created a performance about Sendler that has inspired a book and movie. The
students now travel the world performing and teaching about Sendler. They have
established a trust fund for the care of their 92-year old heroine.
Struck by a famous photograph of 16-year-old Elizabeth Eckford
surrounded by an angry mob and blocked from entering Little Rock High School,
student Heather Jurgensen met and interviewed this member of the Little Rock
Nine for her NHD project on desegregation. Jurgense’s curiosity and respect
inspired Eckford to make her first public appearance in 40 years.
National History Day (NHD) is a yearlong, nonprofit education program
dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of history in schools. The
program teaches students essential skills that will help them succeed in college
and the workplace. In 2005, NHD is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a
national organization. To learn more about the program visit www.nhd.org or call
301-314-9542.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb247555.htm