Bringing History to Life at Beverly Manor Middle School

Ben Coffey and Holden Sandridge, seventh graders at Beverly Manor Middle School, both agree. "This opportunity allows everyone to experience something instead of just sitting in the classroom."

Woodrow Wilson, played by Judd Bankert, came to Beverly Manor Middle School for the sixth year to hold a mock press conference. All of Beverly Manor's 7th grade students, who are currently finishing their study on World War 1 and President Wilson, attended the conference. Twenty-two of them, however, were selected by teachers to be the "press", and each were allowed to ask President Wilson one question of their choosing. "They got the benefit of having the additional research. We spent time giving them background. The question was totally theirs. They had ownership of the questions," said Mrs. Scarlett Kiser, the 7th grade Social Studies teacher who organized the event.

These press conferences have been a Beverly Manor tradition for six years. It was originally organized as a larger event for all of the local middle schools to participate, but as Beverly Manor showed more and more interest, Woodrow Wilson came to their school. "I have been coming here for a long time," said Ellen Abernathy, who works with Museum Education and with school outreach programs. "[To do this] They have to learn the protocol of a press conference and how to approach a president. (...) I think they have to delve into the era. They really come to understand that there was a whole different lifestyle."

The twenty-two students involved asked excellent questions that showed this deeper knowledge of the time period, and Woodrow Wilson's personal life- including questions such as "Could you explain your plan for peace? The Fourteen Points?", "Why are you so concerned about having peace with people in other countries while here at home you are ignoring the rights of American people and are not trying to stop segregation?", "What in your childhood really influenced your Presidency?" and "You were so quick to crush rebellions in Haiti and Mexico. Why didn't you do that in Europe?". President Wilson gave wonderful and detailed answers to every question. He explained his love for Princeton University saying, "I'd rather be a professor there than president [of a college] anywhere else." When asked about the Senate's rejection of the Treaty of Versailles, he said that the Senate had rejected it because they thought it might be a threat to our sovereignty, but he went on to say that "agreeing to do what is right is not giving up sovereignty", and explained his vision for the League of Nations as part of his Fourteen Points, wanting to promote "rights of nations, big and small."

One of his most inspirational answers came to Emily Gardner's question: "What in your childhood really influenced your Presidency?" One thing in particular that he felt influenced him was his struggle to learn to read. At about the age of 9, Woodrow Wilson was just learning the alphabet, but his parents never gave up on him. "When faced with a great challenge, it needs to be taken head-on." He went on to tell the story of a student that came to him when he worked at Princeton. This student was having trouble with his Latin classes, and asked Mr. Wilson's advice. He replied, "Take all of the Latin classes you can. (...) When you come across something you're struggling with, hold tight until you've mastered it."

Many people in attendance feel history is extremely important. One of these people is Abby Claytor, a junior at Bridgewater College who is working as an intern at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, "Anyone can enjoy history in the right way." Mr. Bankert, who played Wilson, feels that Wilson's messages transcend his period. "He speaks to contemporary issues, and his Fourteen Points have relevant, universal truths." Some of these points that he feels are most important are (1) all international settlements are reached in open negotiations, (2) ensuring total freedom of the seas, (3) elimination of barriers of trade, (4) weapons reduction, (5) settlement of colonial disputes by listening to the people within the colonies as well, not just the ruling governments, and (6) the establishment of the League of Nations. "They're as relevant and appropriate today as they were over one hundred years ago. (...) There are some political figures that are very contemporary. They're very much rooted in their time, but Wilson isn't like that. (...) They [his ideas] don't just apply to his time or his generation, but to us today."

STEM Program at Shenandoah Valley Governor's School = (Math x Science + Computers) + (Fun x Hard Work)

Wilson Memorial High School Junior Grace Day describes Shenandoah Valley Governor's School as "not a cakewalk, but if you can do the work, it's the greatest place to be."

She's not the only one that feels this way. "I would be a fool not to teach at this place," says Mr. Irons, who teaches Technology and Dual-Enrollment Calculus (through Blue Ridge Community College). "I've taught here for 13 years, and I've loved every minute."

According to the Virginia Department of Education, there are currently 19 year-long governor's schools across the state. At the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School, located in Fishersville, students come from all local high schools in Augusta County and the city schools of Staunton and Waynesboro. 200 students attend SVGS and are part of one of two programs- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM, for short) or Arts and Humanities (with a focus on Visual Arts or Theater). Students normally apply during their sophomore year in high school, and are encouraged to visit the school during a Spend-a-Day. The prospective student is partnered with a junior that is currently taking classes at the Governor's School, and they spend their time in that student's classes- meeting faculty and students and getting an atmosphere for the school.

Students have opportunities at the Governor's School that go beyond those offered anywhere else. “The technology allows explorations not easily done elsewhere,” says Mr. Klein, environmental chemistry teacher. Opportunities include the electric vehicle team, the FIRST Robotics team, research projects that are submitted to the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (if a student chooses to take the research class), taking college level classes including Dual-Enrollment Physics through James Madison University, hosting students from Romania and South Korea (with also the opportunity to visit schools in these countries), and many more.

But what sets Governor's School apart from local high schools? Ms. Jensen, a graduate from Stuarts Draft High School and SVGS and now current AP Calculus and Pre-Calculus teacher, explained her views.

"From an administrative standpoint, it doesn't seem different, but when you put the students together, it makes something special happen. They flourish in a way they can't otherwise. (...) Students go way beyond what they learn at their other high schools, and [when I was a student] I liked being around people who cared about school. (...) [Students here] are like flowers under a big forest (normal school conditions). When you take away the trees, they can bloom."

What do current students say?

“I like how I can go to track meets and I know kids from other schools there, not just the kids from Gap. (…) We’re independent, but they [the teachers] will help a lot.” –Lauren Sheriden, Buffalo Gap High School

“Enjoyable…The place for future presidents and the people who will find the cure for cancer.” –Ashley Gartin, Riverheads High School

“People told me it was hard and I didn’t believe them. Be prepared. Soldier on.” –Kathleen Veer, Stuarts Draft High School

What do the teachers want you to know about SVGS?

“Put bright people under pressure, and creative things happen. (…) Creative things happen all the time. That’s what this place is all about- bright, passionate people coming together.” -Mr. O’Neill, Physics teacher

“It’s an awesome opportunity, even for me as a teacher. The students that come are focused and interested.” -Mr. Mustachio, Engineering, AP Computer Science teacher and Network administrator

For more information about Shenandoah Valley Governor's School, visit their website.