Extraordinary Unsung Heroes. Powerful Stories.

Discovering Unsung Heroes from our own backyard to every corner of the globe.

From local changemakers to global trailblazers, the stories of Unsung Heroes continue to grow.

This summer, we’re introducing new exhibits featuring Kansas and local heroes while preparing to celebrate the remarkable stories uncovered by students through the 2026 Discovery Award competition. Together with hundreds of national and international Unsung Heroes featured throughout the Center, these stories remind us that one person can make an extraordinary difference.

Discovery Award Semi-Finalists Announced August 27

The countdown is on!

After receiving more Discovery Award entries than ever before, judges are reviewing outstanding student projects from around the world.

The 2026 Discovery Award Semi-Finalists will be announced on August 27.

Follow us on social media to celebrate these incredible student researchers and educators.

The stories of Unsung Heroes know no borders. From our own community to countries around the world, the Lowell Milken Center shares the remarkable stories of ordinary people whose extraordinary actions changed history.

Featured Unsung Hero Projects

NEW! Kansas Unsung Heroes Exhibit Opens in Unsung Hero Park

Visitors can now explore our newest outdoor exhibit featuring remarkable Kansas Unsung Heroes.

Celebrating Kansans whose courage, innovation, and determination helped shape our state and nation, this exhibit was made possible in part by an AARP grant.

Located in Unsung Hero Park at 1 S. Main in Fort Scott, the exhibit is free and open to visitors of all ages.

Coming Soon: Interactive Local Unsung Heroes Exhibit

Work is underway on an exciting new interactive exhibit that will introduce visitors to the stories of local Unsung Heroes from Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

Through engaging digital displays, visitors will be able to discover the remarkable individuals whose courage, compassion, and leadership helped shape our community.

This project is made possible in part through a grant from Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, and we look forward to welcoming visitors when the exhibit opens later this year.

Visitors Continue to Discover Unsung Heroes

Every week, visitors from across the United States and around the world discover the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes at the Lowell Milken Center.

We recently welcomed guests from Japan and many states across the country, adding new pins to our visitor map and reminding us that these stories truly have a global impact.

Liz Anstine Named

2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Liz Anstine, a business teacher at Olathe North High School in Olathe, KS. Liz will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Liz, a teacher at Olathe North High School, was recognized in 2025 as the Kansas Teacher of the Year. Teaching a range of courses, Liz is known across the state for her leadership and mentoring, as well as her ability to create a classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, open dialogue, and student success.

Within her school and beyond, Liz has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her commitment to collaboration and mentorship. Her ability to connect classroom learning to the complexities of the real world makes her a strong fit for the Lowell Milken Center Fellowship. Liz’s insight and experience will be a valuable asset as she works to guide students in discovering and sharing the stories of Unsung Heroes as part of the 2026 LMC Fellowship.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Liz’s ability to connect classroom experiences to the complex real world will make her a valuable asset in discovering unsung heroes for our 2026 LMC Fellowship.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

Elizabeth Hutton Named

 2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2026 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Elizabeth, a history teacher at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, MO. Elizabeth will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Elizabeth Hutton, a high school history teacher from Lebanon, Missouri, has been recognized for her outstanding leadership in guiding students to the National History Day (NHD) national competition in College Park, Maryland. Her long-standing commitment to historical scholarship and student achievement has made her a distinguished figure in the NHD community.

Hutton’s relationship with National History Day began in 1999, when she first participated as a high school freshman. Over the course of her four years as a competitor, she qualified for the national competition three times. As a sophomore, her documentary group earned sixth place in the nation with a project highlighting the life and legacy of influential but often overlooked musician Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter.

Her most notable achievement as a student competitor came during her freshman year, when her performance group uncovered the story of Irena Sendler, the Polish humanitarian who rescued hundreds of children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Their project, titled Life in a Jar, attracted national media attention and later inspired both a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie and a bestselling book on the Holocaust.

Hutton’s passion for National History Day continued into her college years, where she served as a volunteer judge for local competitions. After becoming an educator, she established her own NHD course, guiding and mentoring students as they pursued their own original research. Under her leadership, many of her students have earned regional and national recognition for their work.

Her ongoing dedication to historical inquiry, student empowerment, and excellence in education continues to make a meaningful impact on her school, community, and the broader field of history education.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Elizabeth’s involvement with project-based learning and research for National History Day projects will be an excellent resource for our 2026 Fellows.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

Jennifer McMunn Named

2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Jennifer McMunn, a humanities enrichment teacher at Mansfield Middle School in Connecticut. Jennifer will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Jenn McMunn is a humanities enrichment teacher from Mansfield Middle School in Connecticut. As an enrichment teacher, Jenn aims to provide challenging, relevant learning extensions for all students. She leads the school’s National History Day program, and this year she’s focused on developing local history units for America 250.

Jenn enjoys seeking opportunities to grow as an educator. She’s a Fulbright Fellow and a Connecticut Writing Project Teacher Consultant. In 2024 and 2025, she participated in the Young People’s Continental Congress, sponsored by National History Day and Carpenters’ Hall, both as a participant and as a teacher-mentor. She recently attended the Teaching 250 Convening in Philadelphia to help develop curricular materials for America 250.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Jennifer’s experience with project-based learning and research, using primary and secondary sources, will greatly benefit the LMC Fellowship.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

1 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Elizabeth Metts Named

2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Elizabeth Metts, a 9th-grade history teacher at Excel Academy Charter High School in East Boston, MA. Elizabeth will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Elizabeth, a National Board Certified history teacher originally from Texas, was recognized this past February as a Massachusetts Milken Educator. History is a popular subject at Excel Academy Charter High School, as Elizabeth empowers her students to succeed and excel through a flipped, self-paced ancient world history classroom rooted in hands-on learning. Students engage in gallery walks, debates, individualized student work, and research projects, with frequent feedback and learning pods that promote ownership of their progress. Since her arrival, student participation in AP World History has doubled—developing a vibrant group of learners who not only immerse themselves in the evolution of civilizations, cultures, and social advances around the world, but also gain an appreciation for their place in it.

At her school, Elizabeth is a 9th-grade team leader, serves on the hiring committee, mentors new teachers, leads professional development, coordinates the National Honor Society, and leads a homework club after school. Committed to preparing the next generation of teachers, Metts coaches through Excel’s Teaching Fellowship program. Additionally, she has broadened her reach as a Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellow and CURATE Fellow for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Elizabeth’s commitment to research projects and hands-on learning, along with her passion for creating a differentiated classroom, will add to the 2026 Fellowship.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, has awarded its 2026 Fellowship to 12 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, the six fellows for June 22 – 26 were presented the key to the city by Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Lindsay Madison. (Six more Fellows will arrive on June 29^th.)

Upon presenting the keys, Madison remarked, “The City of Fort Scott is proud to welcome the 2026 Lowell Milken Center Fellows and present them with keys to the city. It is inspiring to see outstanding educators from across the country come to Fort Scott to deepen their commitment to teaching and learning. As they return to their schools and communities, they will carry forward the mission of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, ensuring that the stories of individuals whose contributions have too often gone unrecognized continue to be shared. Recognizing those who have made a meaningful difference is important work, and through these powerful stories, future generations are inspired to make a positive impact in the world.”

The Fellows honored this week were Collin Binko from Wyoming, Katie Botello from California, Heather Hurt from Alabama, James Lawlor from New York, Johnna Stoffregen from Kansas, and Magali Turner from New Mexico. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “We are so honored to be able to network and collaborate with these exemplary educators and provide them with an opportunity to reflect, reenergize and strategize with each other as they seek to find new ways to inspire their students.”

Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards its Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning, preparing them to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students and learn the stories of role models who help change the world. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows have enjoyed visiting the Fort Scott area.