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2004-2005
Powhatan Historians, Powhatan OFWB Church
Clayton
Congratulations to member Nikki Jones who recently received a Presidential Award for Community Service from the Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarship program. She received a letter from President George W. Bush and a certificate suitable for framing. Her involvement in numerous educational and civic organizations as well as her summer short-term missionary work through the Youth Convention of Original Free Will Baptists helped her qualify with sufficient service hours to earn the outstanding honor. She has been a part of various activities based on historical interests such as cleaning up old cemeteries, making valentines for veterans, and taking part in various competitions. She is a regional finalist in the N.C. Teaching Fellows Scholarship program and plans to attend NCSU beginning in the fall to become a high school history teacher. She has been involved as a member of THJHA since 1998.
Members Nikki Jones and Crystal Guy (first two on left) were part of a group that went white-water rafting during a youth leadership retreat through Powhatan OFWB church, our club sponsor.
Submitted by Rita Jones, adviser
The Trailblazers, Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount, Inc.
Elm City
NC History Bowl Team Members Are Truly "Trailblazers"
We were very proud of our 8th Grade NC History Bowl team as they represented our Tar Heel Jr. Historian group in the 2005 Regional NC History Bowl on February 7th at Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site.
Unfortunately, an exciting come back in the last quarter was not enough for the Trailblazers to hold off a victory by the tournament runners-up, Clayton Middle School in this single elimination tournament. The event was co-sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, LaGrange Chapter and the NC State Historic Sites: Aycock Birthplace and CSS Neuse.
Everything the team had learned in their THJH meetings was reinforced through observing the other teams compete. It was exciting to see how much everyone learned about NC history. Most importantly, we again realized the value of mutual encouragement and teamwork.
Following the bowl, the team and their families enjoyed being outdoors on a beautiful sunny day for a picnic lunch and fellowship. After lunch, the historic interpreter for the site, Johnny Joyner provided our group with a more in-depth and very interesting tour of the Aycock Birthplace. We learned so much about the life and times of NC's "education governor." It was a great day.
As you may know, "Trailblazers" is the name for our Tar Heel Jr. Historians group. The members of this History Bowl team -who are also members of the Tar Heel Jr. Historians are truly "Trailblazers" as they are the very first team to represent our homeschool association at the NC History Bowl.
Team members studied "over time" to prepare for this academic challenge and did a great job. Our team is comprised of: Seth Bauguess, Emmette Cousins, Ryan Davis, Nathaniel Hartsell and Audrey Williford. Way to go Trailblazers!
Submitted by: Jim Hartsell, adviser
2-10-05
The Creekside History Seekers, Franklin County and Wake County Homeschoolers
Youngsville/ Wake Forest
Our enrichment day project this month was provided by the Loopens and constituted of a visit to Tryon Palace in New Bern. On the grounds we had a great time playing rounders with the actors and other homeschoolers. After the game we toured the grounds and gardens, seeing many fascinating structures such as the guard tower. We then proceeded into the front lawn and were given an excellent tour of the palace. After we had concluded the tour, we engaged in colonial games with the actors. After they were concluded we made beeswax candles and met the blacksmith. He gave us an extremely interesting time and even showed us a cutlass that he had made. After he had finished, some of us went and saw an arms demo and some of us socialized with the actresses.
Overall it was an excellent field trip that taught me many things from how people lived in the 18th century to how Governor Tryon affected colonial North Carolina. It was an excellent trip that I would recommend to anyone.
Submitted by: Nathanael Waddle, age 14 (12-2-04)
Diana Waddle and Susan Lenahan, advisers
The Creekside History Seekers, Franklin and Wake Homeschoolers
Youngsville/Wake Forest
Creekside Historyseekers' Field Trip to the North Carolina Museum of History
The field trip began when we entered the downtown area because there is so much history there. But the main attraction for us today was the North Carolina Museum of History. The first thing we did was go see the winners of last year's N.C. Junior Historian Convention to both motivate and give us an idea of N.C. history.
Then we went on a scavenger hunt type activity. We were given pictures of things in the museum and we were supposed to find them and write down where we found them. This was a good way to learn history and have fun. The winners of the scavenger hunt were to get a prize. Then after this we visited with each other and the Creekside History Seekers' field trip concluded.
Written by Timothy Lenahan, 7th grade
Submitted by Diana Waddle, adviser
The Trailblazers, Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount, Inc.
Elm City
A local historic gun expert spoke to the group on September 16th. Our class had just discussed the early 18th century Tuscarora Wars and piracy in NC. Our speaker brought guns that would have been used during that time as well as replicas of guns used during the early period of exploration (during Raleigh expeditions, for example.) The students found the discussion about the popular use of the blunderbuss in naval conflicts with pirates interesting.
Our special speaker also brought many old coins that would have been in circulation during the early colonial period and discussed the historical significance of the images on the coins. This really enhanced our learning about this period in our history.
Two of our Tar Heel Jr. Historians volunteered to assist at the annual History Days in Tarboro on Saturday, September 25. However, since the attendance was much lower than anticipated by the event coordinator, the students were released from their intended duties and allowed to spend the afternoon taking in some of the events.
We listened to a CSA Navy reenactor tell of the CSS Albemarle, an ironclad in Plymouth, NC and viewed other interesting displays such as a field hospital. While a student was taking a photo of the exterior of a home, the owner invited us in for a tour of his 1858 home. The "Barracks," is the historic Battle house (owner of Rocky Mount Mills,) a home designed by Wm. Percival, the same architect who designed the state capitol. The grand foyer of the home had a rotunda similar to the one in the capitol. This tour was a really nice surprise.
The day ended with the firing of the cannon by the reenactors. The weather was nice and we had an enjoyable afternoon of learning.
On September 30, Rudolph Knight, Historic Preservation Office, City of Rocky Mount spoke to our group about possible opportunities for individual/ group preservation projects in the area. The area is so rich in history and there are so many things we could do to contribute in some way to our communities. These projects should also be an enjoyable time as we learn and work together. We look forward to starting on a project. We spent some time discussing what we might want to do as a group. We also watched a video from the State Museum of History about the history and the preservation of the Tryon Palace.
Some of our group members plan to participate in the Down East Festival in Rocky Mount on October 9th. We have been asked to help with distributing literature about the value of historic preservation at the Preservation Rocky Mount booth. Our group recently sent our donation to become members of Preservation Rocky Mount.
Our next field trip is planned for October 27th. We will tour the Laboratories of Archaeology at East Carolina University, and an archaeology professor will show us artifacts from recent excavations and discuss their significance to NC history. On our way back to Nash County, we will visit an 18th century home in Edgecombe County being preserved by a local citizen. We always look forward to field trips.
Submitted by : Jim Hartsell, adviser
Homeschoolers Unfolding History (HUH), Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield
Smithfield
Homeschoolers Unfolding History recently celebrated their fifth anniversary!
Current president Caleb Young with Suzanne Mewborn from the N.C. Museum of History, receiving his new membership card.
Julia McCullers, chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, tells students about the history of the library.
"During the Summer of 2004 Homeschoolers Unfolding History were honored to hear two World War II veterans that had been honored at the D-Day commemoration. On July 15, 2004 we sat in awe as we listened to Mr. J.D. Lancaster related how God protected him through the attack by the Japanese on his ship the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Col. John Reeder came to the library on August 12, 2004. He shared some of his 101st Airborne, D-Day, Korea, Vietnam and Pentagon experiences.
Our current officers are President Caleb Young, Vice President Nicholas Revels, Secretary John Young, Chaplain Laura Hemingway, Historians Erin Revels and Mimi McLamb, and Sergeant at Arms Samuel Young. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield and the Board of Trustees for sponsoring our local Chapter of Tar Heel Junior Historians and also to thank the Museum of History for sponsoring THJH. Most importantly we would like to thank our parents for their support and encouragement in our every endeavor. We have been blessed for five years to hear many wonderful people tell their story and this is our story.
On September 9, 2004, Homeschoolers Unfolding History celebrated its fifth anniversary! To mark this occasion, a celebration was held at the Library of Johnston County and Smithfield. Sixty-nine people attended the meeting and admired projects and awards that HUH Junior Historians had earned at THJHA annual conventions. Caleb Young, HUH president, presided over the club meeting and Elaine Forman, adviser, presented a detailed history of the club's events and accomplishments. In addition to HUH alumni, guests included Julia McCullers, chairman of the board of trustees for the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, and Suzanne Mewborn, THJHA program coordinator. It was an very inspirational afternoon. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, HOMESCHOOLERS UNFOLDING HISTORY!!
Submitted by: Elaine Forman, adviser
Powhatan Historians, Powhatan OFWB Church
Clayton
Some of the Powhatan Historians of Johnston County took part in a Confederate Memorial Service this fall that honored some of their ancestors. Fifth grader Hayley Benson (East Clayton Elementary) and Senior Nikki Jones (Clayton High School) are still putting together their own family histories. Four Jones brothers and Josiah J. Medlin were honored for their service and new stones were placed in the Powhatan OFWB Church cemetery for 3 of the 5 whose graves are unmarked. Lucian Jones was killed on the first day of fighting at Gettysburg and buried in a mass grave on the battlefield. Now, he has a proper marker at his home.
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