Students take part in National Day of Courage

On February 4, The Henry Ford Museum celebrated the National Day of Courage: a National Movement Honoring the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks.
 
The Pontiac School District in collaborative partnership with The Henry Ford and the Pontiac Alumni Foundation (PAF) took the middle and high school students to The Henry Ford to be a part of that celebration.  The PAF is a non-profit Foundation for the purpose of ensuring a Certainty of Opportunity for the children of Pontiac through mentoring, tutoring, enrichment and community service.
 
Parents, teachers, and administrators acted as chaperones, including Joseph Auricchio, a 9th grade American History teacher at Pontiac High School.  Auricchio coordinated the buses and chaperones for the day.  In describing the day he said “I believe it was an invaluable experience for our students to have the opportunity to ‘touch’ a piece of history.  The museum offers such a vast array of history for the students to see and experience.”
 
Also assisting with this endeavor was Carol Turpin, president of the Pontiac School Board.  She and her husband, Dr. Turpin, are good advocates of enriching education for the students of Pontiac.  That is what trips to the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village can mean to these students.
 
Many other teachers and chaperones, including Michael Lavoie, secretary of the Pontiac Alumni Foundation, partner in the Butzel Long law firm, and the PAF’s chief mentor, helped to make it a very positive day for the students.  Also assisting where needed was PAF’s President, Retired Judge Fred M. Mester and his son, David Mester.  
 
Judge Mester said “this was a special day for all.”  He went on to explain “we celebrated an individual, who on her own, made an expression for freedom that inspires all.  Ms. Parks was not a part of an organization or movement that would have provided her immediate protection, made her bond, etc.  Her life is demonstrative of showing how one life can truly make this a better world.  When one delves into the history of this great country, from its founding and its evolution in adhering to its founding principles as set out in the Declaration of Independence, we see courageous individuals making the difference to creating a beacon for people all over the world for Liberty and Freedom.” 
 
Another aspect of The Henry Ford that engaged the students is the “Driving America” exhibit.  It shows the evolution of the automobile from 1885 to the present, and the parallel historical and cultural events along that journey.  During the twentieth century especially the first half, Pontiac was a major player; something the Pontiac students can gain a sense of pride in.
 
The School District of Pontiac and the PAF expresses its appreciation to all those who made the National Day of Courage a reality.  They thank Christian Overland, The Henry Ford’s executive vice president, Paula Gangopadhyay, chief learning officer, and the entire Henry Ford staff.
 

As a result of this visit, the Pontiac Schools and the PAF are in the process of setting up more visits to The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village.   “I look forward to another trip to Greenfield Village where our students can experience the life of the late 1800s” said Auricchio. 

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