Teenage Students Right Historical Wrong

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.




Teenage Students Right Historical Wrong



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