History Handed Down to Students by Loved Ones

Those around us are living history, and one group of students are getting to document that firsthand.

LaRue County High School teacher Summer Garris recently challenged her students with a project that gave them an intimate look at history through the eyes of loved ones.

The project was inspired by Kentucky poet laureate Silas House and his “Listen Now” initiative. This oral history project encouraged students throughout the Bluegrass to write a human interest story about a person at least 40 years older than them. The ultimate goal would be to create a historically significant archive that captures the stories of a previous generation.

Garris’s students gained firsthand experience when it came to interviewing and communication. They also developed these skills with people they were familiar with: their family and friends.

“These skills (interviewing, problem solving and troubleshooting), as well as the ability to communicate with people for a desired purpose, are all skills that translate to professional skills,” Garris said.

Garris said the project was a great way for members of the community to open up about their lives.

“We found that the interviewees absolutely enjoyed talking about their lives,” she said. “Most of all, though, students were able to talk and get advice from individuals about life, life choices, and priorities,” Garris said. “Learning about individuals and getting such advice is something many of these students will take to heart.”

And take it to heart they did. Students like Jada Lancaster said it helped them connect with loved ones in ways they didn’t expect.

“I found this project very meaningful,” she said. “While writing this paper and hearing about what life was like as my Grandad grew up, changed my perspective on so many different things. It truly opened my eyes to what I have and how I need to embrace it.”

Student Aeryn Grimes interviewed her grandmother, Elisabeth Grimes. She said getting to hear how her grandmother views the modern world was powerful.

“I found it meaningful to try and preserve the simple wisdom of people who had to work for everything they had in life for I fear that it will slowly slip away from the later generations,” Grimes said. “I want others to appreciate and be open to other people's ideas and points of view.”

Student Madeline Fulkerson said she enjoyed seeing her interviewees in a new light.

“There’s something so intimate about hearing someone you’re used to seeing crack jokes, chuckle, and poke fun, say something really profound,” Fulkerson said. “There’s something so special about hearing what people really think, how they describe themselves, and their views, regardless of your perspective.”

There were also moments for nuggets of wisdom to be shared to the younger generation. Student Gabriel Humphrey said he loved getting quotes from his grandmother that would be perfect for his life now.

“The best quote from the interview I got was when I asked my grandmother what tips she had for teenagers today and she said ‘Stand up for yourself, don’t let others bring you down. And to never let others influence your decisions, and do what’s best for you.’

“It sounds really basic, but coming from what she grew up with and the choices she had to make to get to this point, I feel like that advice was very profound for her,” Humphrey said.

Garris said she’s loved hearing from her students about what they learned through this unique history feature.

“The responses to this assignment were precious,” she said. “I would encourage all of the students to share their pieces with a broader audience.”