Representatives from the Orion Historical Society are in Washington, D.C. today, where they learned that they are the recipients of an additional grant through The History Channel.
The Howarth School Project was awarded the Lowes Community Involvement Award. Look for more information on this award in next week’s Lake Orion Review.
Leslie Pielack, of the Historical Society, and Ted Strunck, a teacher at Upland Hills School, accompanied Upland Hills students Theo Zucker and Malina Vervane, Orion Neighborhood Television intern Katherine Johnson and Orion Township Library Teen Advisory Council representative Ashley Klingler on the trip.
The group took a break from packing for their trip to present information on the Howarth School Project to members of the Historical Society and the public in a presentation on Saturday at the Orion Township Library.
Zucker and Vervane presented a recap that highlighted the process of their school’s involvement. They also showed oral interviews of former Howarth students and former students of similar schools.
Field site supervisor Darrell Zehel presented findings and information in relation to the archeological dig that occurred on the schoolhouse site.
The dig yielded over 3,000 artifacts, Zehel said, noting that compared to other similar digs in this area, the Howarth site produced substantially more artifacts.
However, one of the greatest finds, he said, was how the community came together on the project.
‘Everybody in the community got involved in this project and that’s what makes this project a huge success,? Zehel said.
Elementary school students from around the districts participated in various fundraisers to benefit the Howarth School project. Currently, the amount of money raised through their efforts tops over $25,000, Pielack said.
‘Let this be a lesson to all of us that together as a community, we can do it,? she added in regards to saving the schoolhouse.
Check out next week’s issue of The Review for more on the trip to Washington, D.C.