Elwood School Project Pays Tribute to Vietnam War Veterans

Submitted by Elwood School District

As part of a curriculum-based assignment, Elwood-John H. Glenn High School seniors in Allen Epstein’s government class created a presentation paying homage to the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

In place of a traditional term paper, seniors Saira Bhutta, Jenna Comeau, Kaitlyn Corazzata, Danan Herlich, Julia Hyacinthe and Jenna Yeisley worked together to gather information, create posters and a detailed timeline of the Vietnam War.

As part of their research, students conducted interviews with Vietnam veterans Michael Kalinowski and Jake Roth and acquired a civilian perspective from Elwood-John H. Glenn Interim High School Principal Dr. James Ruck whose brother, Thomas Ruck, fought in the war.

The seniors were able to enhance their research experience by studying authentic photos and documents from the veterans’ years of service. In addition, veterans Kalinowski and Roth lent students their military jackets to display in a window showcase to accompany their research and other gathered materials.

“This presentation raises a level of awareness and remembrance of the historical events that took place during the Vietnam War,” said Dr. Ruck.

Photo Caption: Elwood-John H. Glenn participants involved in making the Vietnam War Tribute (from left) high school history teacher Allen Epstein, students Julia Hyacinthe, Jenna Yeisley, Kaitlyn Corazzata, veteran Michael Kalinowski and Elwood-John H. Glenn Interim principal Dr. James Ruck.

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