Merci.
National History Day: For this superb, life-enriching, and amazing opportunity!
Dear National History Day, Albert Small, Lynne O'Hara, Nathan Huegen and Dr Tom Long
I can't thank you enough for this program. I'm just a seventeen year old girl who always wanted to learn more about the world but unfortunately was just huddled in the same country for years. When I first heard about this institute, I was a bit in shock I was able to apply to such a diverse trip.
I said to myself, "Don't let an opportunity like this go. This is something you've always wanted and if you don't take a chance to apply you'll regret it for the rest of your life." For the past few years, I actually was thinking how if I were to go to France, it would be way more fabulous if I was about to learn about some history when I would be there. I find world history to be pretty fascinating. Any country I decide to go to, I'm always going to want to learn about its historical background because that is what made the country what it is as I walk upon its grounds.
Anyways, when I got the notice in January I was in awe. I didn't think I was going to make it into the institute at first with all the others who were applying with me. I put heart and soul into that essay for sure and I'm glad that it marked my acceptance. I literally counted down the days until the trip. Every month just kept bringing more excitement. Adventuring to two places I've never seen before like D.C. and France was going to be so exciting. I think this trip was a superb opener to my traveling lifestyle. I enjoyed the lectures at the University for how I also aspire myself to be a professor one day.
Now as I conclude, thank you; merci. This was definitely a trip of a lifetime for me especially for being at such a young, discovering age. I fully appreciate being picked out and believing in me during this several month journey. I will be pretty sad once it's all over and my website is complete, but nothing lasts forever.
I know this is only the second year of this institute running and I've got to tell you to please keep it going for many, many years to come. I will love to see future groups benefit from the opportunity as much as I did. All the research was sure worth it and I've learned so many new things, all just about one single day in time; fascinating. Big things sure do come in small packages.
Thank you.
I can't thank you enough for this program. I'm just a seventeen year old girl who always wanted to learn more about the world but unfortunately was just huddled in the same country for years. When I first heard about this institute, I was a bit in shock I was able to apply to such a diverse trip.
I said to myself, "Don't let an opportunity like this go. This is something you've always wanted and if you don't take a chance to apply you'll regret it for the rest of your life." For the past few years, I actually was thinking how if I were to go to France, it would be way more fabulous if I was about to learn about some history when I would be there. I find world history to be pretty fascinating. Any country I decide to go to, I'm always going to want to learn about its historical background because that is what made the country what it is as I walk upon its grounds.
Anyways, when I got the notice in January I was in awe. I didn't think I was going to make it into the institute at first with all the others who were applying with me. I put heart and soul into that essay for sure and I'm glad that it marked my acceptance. I literally counted down the days until the trip. Every month just kept bringing more excitement. Adventuring to two places I've never seen before like D.C. and France was going to be so exciting. I think this trip was a superb opener to my traveling lifestyle. I enjoyed the lectures at the University for how I also aspire myself to be a professor one day.
Now as I conclude, thank you; merci. This was definitely a trip of a lifetime for me especially for being at such a young, discovering age. I fully appreciate being picked out and believing in me during this several month journey. I will be pretty sad once it's all over and my website is complete, but nothing lasts forever.
I know this is only the second year of this institute running and I've got to tell you to please keep it going for many, many years to come. I will love to see future groups benefit from the opportunity as much as I did. All the research was sure worth it and I've learned so many new things, all just about one single day in time; fascinating. Big things sure do come in small packages.
Thank you.
The Tellez Family: For bringing Ms Harris and me into your family's history and hearts
Dear Tellez family,
Our encounter during the interviews was very informational and kind. I appreciate you opening up your archives and hearts to Harris and me for those few hours. I think if I wouldn't have met your family, I would never have had this much information on my project at all. It is super great to have a more personal, emotional perspective on our fallen soldier than any other resource. It was a very good decision to pick a guy from San Diego because just in the heart of our town, I was able to reach so many different sources in short distances. It's interesting learning about this man who made an impact on the world during a very crucial time who only lived a few minutes away, decades ago.
You are all very kind people and I love your deep, touching emotion about your strong, brave relative. Even though his passing occurred perhaps seventy years go, my impression is that it still hits you all like it just happened yesterday. I don't see your tears as only sadness, but I see them as pride running down your faces. Pride for your brother and uncle.
So thank you Patricia, Rose, Robert, Alice and Isabelle. And I still promise you all to bring back a precious keepsake after my trip because I do now feel like I have an emotional connection to him too.
I am looking forward to seeing you all and more of your family members on San Diego High School's campus for Ruben Tellez Day on September 19, 2012. See you at 9:30 am!
Our encounter during the interviews was very informational and kind. I appreciate you opening up your archives and hearts to Harris and me for those few hours. I think if I wouldn't have met your family, I would never have had this much information on my project at all. It is super great to have a more personal, emotional perspective on our fallen soldier than any other resource. It was a very good decision to pick a guy from San Diego because just in the heart of our town, I was able to reach so many different sources in short distances. It's interesting learning about this man who made an impact on the world during a very crucial time who only lived a few minutes away, decades ago.
You are all very kind people and I love your deep, touching emotion about your strong, brave relative. Even though his passing occurred perhaps seventy years go, my impression is that it still hits you all like it just happened yesterday. I don't see your tears as only sadness, but I see them as pride running down your faces. Pride for your brother and uncle.
So thank you Patricia, Rose, Robert, Alice and Isabelle. And I still promise you all to bring back a precious keepsake after my trip because I do now feel like I have an emotional connection to him too.
I am looking forward to seeing you all and more of your family members on San Diego High School's campus for Ruben Tellez Day on September 19, 2012. See you at 9:30 am!
Wes Yeager: For information from UVX on Ruben's dad
Arizona State Park Ranger, Jerome State Historical Park
Colleen Holt: For lots of information and some needed corrections to our Jerome research
Jerome Historical Society, Mining Museum
San Diego High School: For support along with unbelievable amounts of records, photos, articles, books, audio and video materials. And most of all, your time and attention to detail.
Kirk Ankeney, principal
Don King, San Diego High School Alumni Association, president
SDHS Alumni Office
Patricia Minezaki, librarian
Daren Sparks, digital media teacher
Alma Aquino, video and editing, student
Camille Johnson, editing, student
Don King, San Diego High School Alumni Association, president
SDHS Alumni Office
Patricia Minezaki, librarian
Daren Sparks, digital media teacher
Alma Aquino, video and editing, student
Camille Johnson, editing, student
Arlene Harris:
Dear Harris,
Who knew a teacher I met two Februarys ago for a 10th grade World History class would ever give me a lifetime experience like this. Always during my World History course, the two main subjects that interested me the most were the Holocaust and D-Day. For some reasons, what went on in Europe during World War 2 always appealed to me the most when it came to interest.
I am very glad I was able to go on an amazing trip to Arizona and Vegas with you. I really admired the star gazing in the desert and the opportunity to look through a telescope for the first time to see my Saturn and NGC 6543. It certainly was a long car ride, but it was adventurous to travel through so many cities I've never seen. It certainly was a shock to go into Jerome. I was in such a small, not very known town that had so much history come out of it. The red mountains and dirt were indeed very intriguing to see.
I've always wanted to see France, plus Europe in general. I'm glad we persued this opportunity. The waters of the English Channel were magnificent from the French coast, flying over Canada, Greenland, and Iceland was simply breath taking, and gaining a feel of French culture was crazy.
My eyes have seen so many superb places now and that's all thanks to you.
Who knew a teacher I met two Februarys ago for a 10th grade World History class would ever give me a lifetime experience like this. Always during my World History course, the two main subjects that interested me the most were the Holocaust and D-Day. For some reasons, what went on in Europe during World War 2 always appealed to me the most when it came to interest.
I am very glad I was able to go on an amazing trip to Arizona and Vegas with you. I really admired the star gazing in the desert and the opportunity to look through a telescope for the first time to see my Saturn and NGC 6543. It certainly was a long car ride, but it was adventurous to travel through so many cities I've never seen. It certainly was a shock to go into Jerome. I was in such a small, not very known town that had so much history come out of it. The red mountains and dirt were indeed very intriguing to see.
I've always wanted to see France, plus Europe in general. I'm glad we persued this opportunity. The waters of the English Channel were magnificent from the French coast, flying over Canada, Greenland, and Iceland was simply breath taking, and gaining a feel of French culture was crazy.
My eyes have seen so many superb places now and that's all thanks to you.
Rachel Foster: For everything. For making it possible for me to go.
Dear Mother,
I am very grateful for your permission for me to go on this once in a lifetime trip. Even you know ever since I was young, all I ever wanted to do was travel. Traveling is such a vast opportunity. If I can't travel the universe, I'm glad I'm at least able to travel what lies on our home planet, this magnificent piece of science right below our shoes.
Going on the trip with Harris to visit the Tellez's old living grounds in Arizona was definitely a good choice to go along. In addition, it was neat to meet our fellow group in Vegas before the day comes.
I most definitely will remember this trip till the day I die. My first great adventure.
Thank you.
I am very grateful for your permission for me to go on this once in a lifetime trip. Even you know ever since I was young, all I ever wanted to do was travel. Traveling is such a vast opportunity. If I can't travel the universe, I'm glad I'm at least able to travel what lies on our home planet, this magnificent piece of science right below our shoes.
Going on the trip with Harris to visit the Tellez's old living grounds in Arizona was definitely a good choice to go along. In addition, it was neat to meet our fellow group in Vegas before the day comes.
I most definitely will remember this trip till the day I die. My first great adventure.
Thank you.
This institute has given me unforgettable experiences I will treasure forever.