Category Archives: Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

LMC Newsletter Jan. 24, 2025

January 24, 2024

Vol. 1

Celebrating a Milestone: 16,000 Visitors in 2024!

Since opening in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has welcomed visitors from 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In 2024, we reached an exciting milestone: a record-breaking 16,000 visitors in one calendar year!

On December 26th, we celebrated this achievement by welcoming our 16,000th visitor, Erika Knox from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, who visited with her husband Reilly and family member Carol Knox from Nevada, Missouri. Visitors like Erika embody the mission of the Center by exploring and sharing the stories of Unsung Heroes—individuals whose remarkable contributions have left a lasting impact on our world.

As visitor numbers grow, so does the impact of the Lowell Milken Center. Interest in the Discovery Award and ARTEFFECT competitions continues to expand, and new Unsung Hero exhibits are regularly added to the Hall of Heroes, Lowell Milken Park, and our website. These exhibits inspire all who learn about them to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

We thank every visitor, supporter, and collaborator who made 2024 a record-breaking year. Together, we continue to honor Unsung Heroes and their extraordinary legacies.

On Thursday, December 26th, our 16,000th visitor, Erika Knox from Bellefonte, PA, explored the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes at the Center, accompanied by her husband, Reilly Knox, and a close relative, Carol Knox, from Nevada, MO.

2025 Discovery Award Competition: Now Open for Entries!

Teachers, here’s an incredible opportunity to unleash your students’ creativity and research skills through the prestigious Discovery Award Competition! This annual competition challenges students to explore the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes using Project-Based Learning (PBL). By participating, students will develop critical skills in primary research, creativity, and analysis—valuable tools they can carry with them for life.

Project Categories:
Students can choose to submit their work in one of three categories: documentary, website, or performance.

Who Can Participate:
Students in grades 4-12 may enter Unsung Hero projects. Projects may be completed individually or in groups of up to five students.

Exciting Rewards:
Participants have the chance to win cash prizes and gain national recognition for their impactful projects. Teachers also have opportunities to earn prizes for their guidance and mentorship.

Submission Deadline:
Projects are due by July 1, 2025.

Encourage your students to tell powerful stories of courage and compassion, and inspire them to make a lasting impact through meaningful projects.

📩 Learn more and submit entries here: https://bit.ly/Discovery_Award_info

Empower the next generation of change-makers while being recognized for your dedication to innovative education!

Celebrating Excellence in Education: Girard’s Meredith Reid Honored

Earlier this month, Girard (KS) High School choral teacher Meredith Reid received the prestigious Milken Educator Award, often called the “Oscar of Teaching.” This national honor recognizes Meredith’s exceptional dedication to music education and her leadership within the community.

Lowell Milken Center Executive Director Norm Conard was proud to attend the celebration, where Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop and Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson presented the award. This marks the first Milken Award in Girard Unified School District’s history. Along with the honor, Meredith received an unrestricted $25,000 prize.

Congratulations to Meredith for her inspiring work in education and tremendous impact on her students and the Girard community!

Celebrating Excellence: Ann Marie Vanneste Finalist for Global Teacher Prize

2024 LMC Fellow Ann Marie Vanneste from Canada has been named a finalist for the 2025 Global Teacher Prize! Ann Marie’s inspiring work embodies the values of education and her dedication to empowering the next generation.

She joins a distinguished group of LMC Fellows who have been recognized as finalists for this prestigious award, including:

  • Jeff Charbonneau (2015) – Top 50, 2015 Finalist

  • Jamie Manker (2015) – Top 50, 2015 Finalist

  • Eric Crouch (2017) – Top 50, 2019 Finalist

  • Merit Karise (2017) – Top 50, 2015 Finalist

  • Michael Soskil (2017) – Top 50, 2015 Finalist; Top 10, 2016 Finalist

  • Elisa Guerra (2018) – Top 50, 2015 Finalist

Ann Marie will travel to Dubai for the announcement of the winner. We are thrilled to see her continuing this tradition of excellence and making a lasting difference in the lives of her students.

Congratulations, Ann Marie! 🌍✨

A Winter Wonderland at Lowell Milken Park

Lowell Milken Park truly shines during the holiday season, but there’s something extra magical about seeing it covered in a fresh blanket of snow. With twinkling lights and festive decorations, the park transforms into a serene winter wonderland, capturing the beauty and spirit of the holidays.

We hope you had a chance to experience the park’s charm this season and take in its peaceful, picturesque setting. It’s a wonderful reminder of the joy and beauty this time of year brings to Fort Scott.

Visitors from Waco, Texas Share Their Inspiring Experience

After reading Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, three women from Waco, Texas, were so moved by Irena’s story that they made the journey to visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Their visit left a lasting impression on them, and they recently shared a heartfelt note about how the experience continues to inspire their community.

Here is their touching message:

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Unsung Heroes & STEAM Online Professional Development Session Wednesday, January 22

Unsung Heroes & STEAM
Online Professional Development Session

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
4:00 – 5:15 PM (Pacific Time)

All K-12 educators are invited to the next professional development session. Exploring Unsung Heroes who excelled in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics allows students to make formative connections as future innovators. This session, led by 2021 LMC Fellow Jennifer Braverman, uses an interdisciplinary STEAM framework and provides turn-key resources, strategies, and creative approaches to connect students with these individuals through the visual arts.

Free to join. Register to attend and receive a link to join the session, as well as the session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for attendees.

Register Now
2025 Competition Info Session – Recording
You can now access the recording for the online Competition Info Session. This event covered competition rules, guidelines, judging criteria, tips for submission, prizes, and lesson plans. Previously participating teachers and students also presented on their experiences with the ARTEFFECT Competition! View the session recording below:
View Info Session Recording
Learn more about the ARTEFFECT annual competition and resources for teaching and learning with the LMC Unsung Heroes with the Quick Start Resource Guide for Educators. The resources in this guide include lesson plans, session recordings, and a 10-step process to helping students begin and submit an artwork entry to the 2025 ARTEFFECT Competition.
Download Resource Guide
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
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Copyright © 2025 Lowell Milken Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.

Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Lowell Milken Center Newsletter January 7

From top left to bottom right: Vivien Thomas, ENS Jane Kendeigh, Dr. Ernest Everett Just, Mitsuye Endo, Noor Inayat Khan, Sir Nicholas Winton, Sylvia Mendez, and Dr. Gene Shoemaker.
Unsung Heroes Directory — PDF
With New 2025 Updates!
The full list of pre-approved LMC Unsung Heroes are available to view and sort using this Unsung Heroes Directory – a downloadable and interactive PDF.

The updated Directory includes a short biography and photo for each LMC Unsung Hero as well as new 2025 Unsung Heroes. Use this classroom resource to support students in selecting their Unsung Heroes for their ARTEFFECT projects.

Download Unsung Heroes Directory PDF
New 2025 Unsung Heroes in the Directory PDF include Emile Berliner, Dr. Norman Borlaug, Dr. Charles Drew, Terry Fox, Bela Ya’ari Hazan, Judy Heumann, Oscar Howe, ENS Jane Kendeigh, and Carla Peperzak.
ARTEFFECT Competition Info Session
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)
All new and returning ARTEFFECT educators are invited to join this session. This session will cover competition rules, guidelines, judging criteria, tips for submission, prizes, and lesson plans. Hear from participating teachers and students! Free to join. Registration required.
Register Now
Learn more about the 2025 ARTEFFECT competition.
Unsung Heroes & STEAM
Online Professional Development Session

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
4:00 – 5:15 PM (Pacific Time)
All K-12 educators are invited to this free professional development session. Exploring Unsung Heroes who excelled in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics allows students to make formative connections as future innovators. This session, led by 2021 LMC Fellow Jennifer Braverman, uses an interdisciplinary STEAM framework and provides turn-key resources, strategies, and creative approaches to connect students with these individuals through the visual arts.

Register to attend and receive a link to join the session, as well as the session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for attendees.

Register Now
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
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Copyright © 2025 Lowell Milken Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.

Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Has A Banner Year

December 16, 2024

Vol. 12

A Banner Year: Celebrating Record Visitors in 2024

Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states. On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.

The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany, who was visiting with her sister, Samantha Thomas from Webb City, MO, shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.

Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

Brittany Ward (left) of Fayetteville, AR, was the 15,000 visitor this year at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. She is pictured with her sister, Samantha Thomas, of Webb City, MO.

Celebrating Excellence in Education

LMC’s CEO, Norm Conard, recently traveled to Louisiana to join a momentous celebration—the announcement of the 3,000th recipient of the Milken Educator Award! Presented by the Milken Family Foundation, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding educators across the country. Norm, a proud recipient of the award in 1992, continues to embody its spirit through his lifelong dedication to education and innovation.

We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the Milken Family Foundation and applaud the incredible impact of exceptional educators nationwide!

LMC Fellow DC Cockrell Decorates The White House for the Holidays

Darrion “DC” Cockrell, 2023 LMC Fellow and 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year, was invited to The White House Holiday Reception this season! Adding to the honor, DC was also asked to be part of the team that decorated The White House for the holidays, contributing his creativity and spirit to this time-honored tradition.

Reflecting on the experience, DC shared:
“Education is the gift that keeps on giving. Because I’ve been able to prioritize education and embrace my love for being an educator, I was honored to be invited to decorate the house of the people—The White House. I will forever be grateful for this incredible experience!”

DC’s passion for service and community continues to inspire us, and we are proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement with him!

LMC Receives Kansas Tourism Development Grant

We are excited to announce that the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has been awarded a Tourism Attraction Development grant, presented by Bridget Jobe, Director of the Kansas Tourism Department. This generous support will enable us to continue sharing the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes while enhancing the experience for visitors from near and far.

We’re proud to contribute to Kansas’s vibrant cultural and educational tourism landscape and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our center. Thank you, Kansas Tourism, for helping us make a difference!

Holiday Magic Shines Bright at the 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks was a resounding success, drawing locals and visitors from across the region—and even out of state—to downtown Fort Scott. This year’s celebration featured enchanting horse-drawn carriage rides, an ice-skating rink, live music, and plenty of shopping to kick off the holiday season. The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes welcomed numerous visitors who enjoyed exploring its inspiring exhibits, while the beautifully decorated Lowell Milken Park served as a highlight of the downtown festivities. The event was filled with laughter, joy, and community spirit, making it a perfect start to the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄

✨ Christmas magic lit up Lowell Milken Park as families and friends enjoyed the holiday cheer with dazzling lights and a festive movie night during Christmas on the Bricks. 🎄🎥❄️

Your Generosity Fuels Our Mission

Consider a Personalized Brick in Unsung Heroes Park!

For just $100, you can create a unique and enduring tribute to honor a hero in your life. By purchasing a brick, you not only create a lasting memorial but also support the Lowell Milken Center’s mission to share the remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes throughout history.

Your purchase is tax-deductible, as the Lowell Milken Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll promptly email you a printable certificate, making it a hassle-free and meaningful gift option.

Secure your brick today by visiting the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, or by submitting this form: https://bit.ly/brick_form. For more information, contact LMC at 620-223-1312.

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Story Telling Through Art

Storytelling through Art
Session Recording and Lesson Plan
Access the lesson plan and recording for the online session on Storytelling through Art led by Brad LeDuc. This session presented a step-by-step process with in-depth resources for developing novel and effective approaches to visual storytelling with a focus on creatively interpreting the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes. View the session recording and download the lesson plan below:
View Recording
Download Lesson Plan
Spotlight Prize – Unsung Hero
 
Introducing
Clara Luper
Civil Rights Leader and Educator
Clara Luper, a trailblazing educator and civil rights leader, is best known for spearheading the 1958 Oklahoma City sit-in movement, a pivotal moment in desegregating public accommodations. Born in rural Oklahoma, Luper overcame the barriers of segregation to become the first African American graduate student in history at the University of Oklahoma. As the advisor to the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council, she mentored young activists and led nonviolent protests that successfully desegregated hundreds of establishments. Beyond her activism, Luper spent 41 years as a history teacher, inspiring generations to fight for justice.

ARTEFFECT projects submitted to the competition that interpret the life and legacy of Clara Luper are eligible for the Spotlight Prize category.

Learn more about Clara Luper
Looking Ahead:
ARTEFFECT Competition Info Session

Wednesday, January 15, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Interested in participating in the 2025 ARTEFFECT Competition? Learn about the annual visual arts competition for students grades 6-12 (open through April 27, 2025). Rules, guidelines, judging criteria, tips for submission, prizes, and lesson plans will be discussed at this session. Bring your questions! Free to join. Registration required.
Register Now
Learn more about the ARTEFFECT competition resources, rules and guidelines.
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
X
Copyright © 2024 Lowell Milken Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Lowell Milken Center Reaches a Record Number of Visitors in 2024

Brittany Ward received the Lowell Milken Center’s 15,000th Visitor Gift Package during her December 7th visit to the Center with her sister, Samantha Thomas.

Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.

The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th Visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some of her family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.

Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

 

Free Pictures With The Grinch at the Lowell Milken Center This Weekend

Sending on behalf of Chamber member Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes…

Lowell Milken Center is offering FREE Pictures with the Grinch during the Christmas on the Bricks Festival!

Friday, December 6th

5-8pm

Saturday, December 7th

12-2pm and 5-8pm

Lowell Milken Center – 1 S. Main St

A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
STAY CONNECTED
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Student Art Competition Begins

2024 ARTEFFECT GRAND PRIZE, Rachel Han (Grade 11), Visions of Light, 2024,
Pastel, charcoal on paper, Unsung Hero: Karl Ernst von Baer
Student Art Competition
How are entries evaluated?
The 2025 ARTEFFECT competition for students in grades 6-12 is a juried competition. All entries are reviewed by a panel of experts from the fine arts, art education, art history, design, and museums.

The following criteria is used to evaluate projects:

Creative Interpretation of the Unsung Hero’s Story (40%)
The artwork demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Unsung Hero’s story in an innovative and exceptionally thoughtful way. The use of well-developed artistic ideas expresses an interpretation of the Unsung Hero’s character traits, heroic act(s), and/or social impact in a manner that is thought-provoking, complex, and compelling.

Aesthetic Value (40%)
The artwork demonstrates a high level of technical skill, craftsmanship, and outstanding execution of the media. The artist applied refined artistic techniques to the creation of the artwork with a thoughtful, eye-catching composition, strong and distinctive artistic voice, and high aesthetic value.

Impact Statement (20%)
The essay is 500-1000 words, and addresses all five prompt questions in a clear, captivating, and articulate synthesis. It presents the artist’s impressions about Unsung Hero’s inspiring qualities and impact, and the artwork’s intended meaning or message. The artist includes a thorough description of their creative process, an authentic reflection on the impact this project had on their life, and a specific plan for sharing their artwork with others.

View examples of award-winning artworks and Impact Statements for 2024 Winners and 2023 Winners. Download the Impact Statement Outline and full Judging Rubric.

Visit the ARTEFFECT Competition
Spotlight Prize – Unsung Hero
 
Introducing
Andrée de Jongh
WWII Freedom Fighter and Nurse
During World War II, Andrée de Jongh volunteered as a Red Cross nurse in Brussels and organized safe houses and escape routes, founding the Comet Line to smuggle Allied soldiers out of Nazi-occupied Belgium. Despite early challenges, her leadership secured British financial support, and between 1941 and 1942, her network rescued over 800 soldiers. Captured by the Nazis in 1943, de Jongh endured brutal interrogations but was dismissed as too young to lead such an operation; by the time they realized the truth, she had disappeared into the prison system.

ARTEFFECT projects submitted to the competition that interpret the life and legacy of Andrée de Jongh are eligible for the Spotlight Prize category.

Learn more about Andrée de Jongh
Storytelling through Art
Online Professional Development Session

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
4:00-5:15PM Pacific Time
Join Us! All K-12 educators are invited to this free session. Award-winning educator and LMC Fellow Brad LeDuc will present strategies for creating narrative visual artworks―from developing a storyline to a completed artwork. He unlocks the six key components for effectively interpreting the story of an Unsung Hero’s journey.

Register to attend and receive the session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for attendees.

Register Now!
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the

Spotlight on the 2024 National Discovery Award Competition Outstanding Teachers

 

November 25, 2024

Vol. 11

Spotlight on the 2024 National Discovery Award Competition Outstanding Teachers

In September, the Lowell Milken Center proudly announced the outstanding educators honored in the 2024 National Discovery Award competition. In this edition of our newsletter, we want to dedicate special recognition to these exceptional teachers whose efforts inspire excellence and student achievement.

Chris Dier of Benjamin Franklin High School (LA), a 2023 LMC Fellow, was honored as the inaugural National Discovery Award Outstanding Teacher for his remarkable dedication to student engagement and project-based learning. Additional Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to Megan Helberg (Loup County Public Schools, NE), Tami Lunsford (Newark Charter School, NJ), and Miranda Spina and Jayda Pugliese (St. Mary Interparochial School, PA).

These educators have gone above and beyond, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and the discovery of unsung heroes whose stories inspire change. Their contributions ensure that the Discovery Award’s legacy continues to empower the next generation of changemakers.

In Their Own Words: Educators Reflect on the

Discovery Award Experience

We reached out to each of the Outstanding Teacher Award winners to hear their thoughts on the impact of the Discovery Award competition. These educators shared their inspiring experiences of guiding students through the process of uncovering the stories of unsung heroes and how this journey has enriched their classrooms. Their reflections highlight the power of project-based learning to ignite curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to history. Following are their responses.

2024 National Outstanding Teacher Chris Dier Shares How the Discovery Award Transformed His Classroom 🚀✨ Hear how this innovative competition has empowered his students and elevated his teaching approach. We know you’ll be inspired!

Thank you to the Kansas Museums Association for selecting Fort Scott as the host city for the 2024 KMA Conference! It was a privilege to connect with museum professionals from across the state, share the work of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, and present on Life in a Jar. We’re excited about future collaborations and opportunities to celebrate history together.

Your Generosity Fuels Our Mission

Consider a Personalized Brick in Unsung Heroes Park!

For just $100, you can create a unique and enduring tribute to honor a hero in your life. By purchasing a brick, you not only create a lasting memorial but also support the Lowell Milken Center’s mission to share the remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes throughout history.

Your purchase is tax-deductible, as the Lowell Milken Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll promptly email you a printable certificate, making it a hassle-free and meaningful gift option.

Secure your brick today by visiting the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, or by submitting this form: https://bit.ly/brick_form. For more information, contact LMC at 620-223-1312.

Support our mission by purchasing a book on Unsung Heroes! Every book shares inspiring stories of courage and change—and helps us continue our work to transform classrooms and communities.

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ANNOUNCING THE 2024-2025 ARTEFFECT AMBASSADORS!

ANNOUNCING THE
2024-2025 ARTEFFECT AMBASSADORS!

34 esteemed educators nationwide selected for online professional development focused on Unsung Heroes will develop innovative capstone projects for their classrooms and communities.

ARTEFFECT Ambassadors is a prestigious visual arts education online fellowship for educators working directly with students in grades 6-12. The 34 fellows in the second annual cohort hail from 21 states.

This year’s ARTEFFECT Ambassadors will participate in a series of online professional development sessions, learning from other high-level practitioners in a collegial peer-learning community. Ambassadors also develop learner-centered visual-arts-based capstone projects. The program running through June 2025 culminates with Ambassadors presenting their capstone projects—such as developing a new lesson plan, a student art exhibition, a teacher-training program, a publication, or other activities—that have been implemented effectively within their classrooms and communities.

Members of the cohort represent diverse educational, professional, and geographic backgrounds. Browse Ambassadors profiles here.

Congratulations to the new ARTEFFECT Ambassadors!

Read Full Press Release
JOIN US!
ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
All educators are invited to join these free online sessions to foster teaching and learning about the LMC Unsung Heroes through the visual arts. Led by seasoned practitioners, these sessions explore varied themes related to the LMC Unsung Heroes, delve into strategies to deepen instructional practice, support student participation in the annual ARTEFEECT competition, and offer opportunities to engage with an expanding network of educators. Lesson plans and Certificate of Participation provided. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/ARTEFFECT-Online-Sessions
Still Time to Join!
Character & Values Session
Wednesday, 11/20 @ 4:00PM PT
Register for Character & Values!
The 2025 ARTEFFECT competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 through April 27, 2025.
Download 2025 Competition Poster
Learn more about the competition resources, rules and guidelines.
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
Copyright © 2024 Lowell Milken Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.

Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Support Educational Change on Giving Tuesday

November 4, 2024

Vol. 10

Support Educational Change on Giving Tuesday

Make a Difference By Helping Support Our Educational Mission

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we extend our heartfelt thanks to you—our generous donors—who make it possible for the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to enrich the lives of students worldwide. Your support empowers us to continue transforming classrooms and communities through student-driven projects that uncover Unsung Heroes and demonstrate the power of individual action to create positive change.

We are dedicated to making a difference by sharing the stories of those who stood against injustice, leaving a lasting impact on our world. Through our museum in historic Fort Scott, Kansas, and our global classroom outreach, we strive to inspire students and educators with the courage, compassion, and conviction of Unsung Heroes.

On Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024), your support will fuel our mission to empower students and educators to uncover the extraordinary change sparked by ordinary people. Every contribution will help the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes bring these impactful stories to life through transformative, project-based learning.

Together, we are:

  • Bringing Unsung Heroes projects to classrooms worldwide, encouraging students to embrace courage, compassion, and conviction.
  • Engaging over 44,000 schools and reaching more than 3 million students with interdisciplinary education that highlights real-life role models.
  • Providing essential professional development for educators, equipping them to inspire and guide students on their journeys to make a difference.

Join us on Giving Tuesday in shaping a world where every student believes they have the power to create lasting change.

A Year of Milestones: 2024 Highlights

at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

As we approach the end of an extraordinary year, we’re thrilled to share a few standout moments that have shaped 2024 at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. This year, we are on track to set a new all-time record for annual visitors at our museum in Fort Scott, Kansas, a testament to the growing impact of our mission. We also celebrated record-breaking entries in both the Discovery Award and ARTEFFECT student competitions, showcasing the remarkable talent and dedication of young changemakers.

Incredibly, our reach now spans all 50 states and 36 countries, as students and educators worldwide engage with the power of Unsung Heroes. Through ongoing professional development and project-based learning strategies, we continue to empower educators and inspire students to create positive change. We also held a number of educational programs throughout the year that enriched our community and surrounding area.

Thank you for being part of a year filled with achievements and the promise of even greater impact in the future!

Giving Tuesday Contributions Ideas

ALL DONATIONS ARE 100% MATCHED

Your contribution helps us:

  • Develop powerful and life-changing Unsung Heroes projects with students, educators and parents.
  • Engage more than 44,000 schools in critical history and interdisciplinary education that highlights positive role models for young people.
  • Provide professional development opportunities and teaching tools for educators across diverse subject areas and grade levels on project-based learning that features Unsung Heroes.
  • Reach over 3 million students and educators with inspiring stories that celebrate courage, compassion and conviction.
  • Create compelling history exhibits for schools, the community and visitors from around the world at our Center in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Consider a Personalized Brick in Unsung Heroes Park!

For just $100, you can create a unique and enduring tribute to honor a hero in your life. By purchasing a brick, you not only create a lasting memorial but also support the Lowell Milken Center’s mission to share the remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes throughout history.

Your purchase is tax-deductible, as the Lowell Milken Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll promptly email you a printable certificate, making it a hassle-free and meaningful gift option.

Secure your brick today by visiting the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, or by submitting this form: https://bit.ly/brick_form. For more information, contact LMC at 620-223-1312.

Support our mission by purchasing a book on Unsung Heroes! Every book shares inspiring stories of courage and change—and helps us continue our work to transform classrooms and communities.

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Character and Values Online Development Session Nov. 20

Character & Values
Online Professional Development Session

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024
4:00-5:15PM Pacific Time
All K-12 educators are invited to join this free online session! Explore the LMC Unsung Heroes as role models. Learn strategies to engage students with the stories of LMC Unsung Heroes by building historical empathy—the ability to connect with the experiences of people from different times. Historical empathy can foster greater creativity and understanding in visual art projects. This session explores hands-on activities, research-based methods for arts-integration, and K-12 curriculum connections.

All registered will receive a copy of the session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for attendees.

Registration Required
Learning Objectives for Character & Values Session

In this session, educators will:

  1. Understand historical empathy as a tool for students to examine issues and problems from the past, placing people and events in a matrix of time and place.
  2. Create approaches for teaching students the importance of individual moral standards, and heroic traits and actions with an emphasis on the LMC Unsung Heroes.
  3. Support students in visually interpreting the stories of LMC Unsung Heroes as role models who have made a difference in the lives of others by comparing the present with the past, evaluating the consequences of events and decisions, and determining the lessons that were learned.
  4. Strengthen connections between visual art, English language arts, and social studies.

This session explores some Heroic Traits and Acts (listed below) demonstrated by the LMC Unsung Heroes: 

About Dr. Veronica Alvarez
Instructor
Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Alvarez is an educator, historian, and arts advocate. She has worked with students of all ages, teaching subjects such as Spanish, ancient Greek and Roman history, and inclusive pedagogy. She was a museum practitioner for over 20 years, working at the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art where she wrote curricula and led professional development for teachers. Dr. Alvarez has served as an education consultant for various entities including UCLA’s Fowler’s Museum, LMU’s Family of Schools, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the U.S. State Department, and the State Department of Cultural Affairs in Chiapas, Mexico. Dr. Alvarez has also developed online learning models on arts integration with the Teaching Channel and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Dr. Alvarez holds a BA in Liberal Studies, an MA in History, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice. Dr. Alavarez is currently Executive Director of Create CA, an art education advocacy organization, and was previously Executive Director, Community Arts Partnerships at CalArts.
ARTEFFECT Annual Competition Resources
Open through April 27, 2025
The 2025 ARTEFFECT competition invites submissions from all students in grades 6-12 around the world interested in making a positive impact through their art. Students creatively interpret the story of an Unsung Hero by creating an original visual artwork, accompanied by an artist’s Impact Statement. Check out the competition resources below!
Visit ARTEFFECT Competition
ARTEFFECT Lesson Plan
Download ARTEFFECT Competition Poster
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
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