Springfield, IL –
The St. Thomas More School History Program in Elgin, headed by teacher Melissa Craig, was recognized with the Governor’s Award during the annual Illinois History Expo held May 8 in Springfield.
“The Governor’s Award is presented to a junior or senior high school student history program which exemplifies the best in historical scholarship, community service, and a commitment to longevity in the field,” said Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) Director Jan Grimes. The Agency sponsors Expo in cooperation with the Chicago Metro History Education Center.
Craig has been a teacher at St. Thomas More for 22 years, the last 13 of which her students have been involved in the History Expo program. Thirteen of Craig’s students have won at the statewide competition over the years and advanced to the National History Day competition. All St. Thomas More all participants have learned to research and develop a topic and translate the information through a variety of media, skills which have served them well in high school, college and beyond.
More than 1,400 junior and senior high school students from across the state participated in the May 8 Expo. The students were winners selected during regional history fairs held earlier this year.
The regional fairs and the Illinois History Expo are coordinated by the IHPA’s Education Services Program, which also publishes the on-line student history magazine Illinois History, and Illinois History Teacher, which contains teaching materials. For more information on the program, visit www.Illinois-History.gov.