LMC Newsletter Oct. 21, 2024

October 21, 2024

Vol. 9

Jericho School Wins 2024 Outstanding School Award

in LMC’s National Discovery Award Competition

This edition of our newsletter celebrates the outstanding achievements of New York’s Jericho Middle School and High School in the 2024 National Discovery Award competition. The students and educators of Jericho have excelled in their efforts, shedding light on unsung heroes whose stories have had a profound impact on history. This year marks a special milestone, as it is the first time the Lowell Milken Center has presented the Outstanding School Award in the Discovery Award competition. We are thrilled to recognize the exceptional work of Jericho’s students and the dedication of their inspiring teachers.

In September, the Lowell Milken Center’s Executive Director, Norm Conard, honored Jericho Middle School and High School with the $1,000 Outstanding School Award for their exemplary participation and performance in the competition. The following teachers were acknowledged for their inspirational guidance and support: Theresa Cantwell, Valerie Conklin, Brian Dussel, Sarah Espinal, Marci Kivo, Konstantine Kovoros, James Lawlor, Laura Suchopar, Pamela Travis, Michelle Vevante, and Eric Sundberg.

Jericho teachers were recognized by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. They are (L-R) Back Row: Brian Dussel, Michelle Vevante, Theresa Cantwell, James Lawlor, Eric Sundberg, and Norm Conard. Front Row: Sarah Espinal, Laura Suchopar, Marci Kivo, Randi Sambursky, Pam Travis, Konstontine Kovoros, and Valerie Conklin.

Photo by Denise Nash.

Madison Choi and Kaitlyn Choi from Jericho High School were the recipients of the 2024 National Discovery Award Outstanding High School Project. LMC’s Executive Director Norm Conard (right) presented the Outstanding High School Project Award to Madison Choi.(Kaitlyn was unable to attend the award presentation.) Also pictured is their teacher, Brian Dussel. Photo by Denise Nash.

Kaitlyn Choi and Madison Choi, students at Jericho High School in New York, were the winners of the $2,500 Outstanding High School Project award, presented to them by LMC Executive Director Norm Conard. Kaitlyn and Madison’s website, Being (Judy) Heumann: Champion for the Rights of the Disabled, emotionally relates the determination of Unsung Hero Judy Heumann to represent the rights of disabled people in our society. Brian Dussel was their supervising teacher.

The $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project award was presented by LMC Executive Director Norm Conard in New York to Jericho Middle School student Jay Patel for his documentary, The Color of Blood: Dr. Charles Drew, An Unsung Hero in Blood Preservation. Charles Drew’s transformation in blood preservation and the establishment of blood banks helped save millions of lives during World War II and continues to save lives today. Teacher Michelle Vevante supervised his project.

Students recognized by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes are (L-R) Top Tow: Ananya Kavi, Rumaisa Hasan, Rayan Hasan, Isaac Chen, Madison Choi, Jewel Feng, Yifan Gao, Michael Paik, Zihan Wei, Lori Li, and Norm Conard. Front Row: Sophia Zhou, Angel Shah, Jay Patel, Ryan Chan, Tiffany Chiu, and Chuheng Lou. Photo by Denise Nash.

$750 Certificates of Excellence were also awarded to Jericho Middle School students Rayan Hasan and Rumaisa Hasan for their documentary, Jean Heller: The Unsung Hero Who Paved the Way for American Bioethics (Teachers Laura Suchopar, Marci Kivo, and Michelle Vevante) and to Jericho Middle School student Ananya Kavi for her website, A Heart of Gold: The Heroic Work of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. (Teacher Pamela Travis)

Other students recognized for their exceptional projects were: Ryan Chan and Yifan Gao, honoring Unsung Hero Edgar Oscar Heinrich; Isaac Chen, honoring Unsung Hero Jeffery Wig and; Tiffany Chiu, honoring Unsung Hero Bayard Rustin; Lori Li, honoring Unsung Hero Sir Nicholas Winston; Michael Paik and Zihan Wei, honoring UH Wade McClusky; and Angel Shah, honoring Unsung Hero Marie Stewart.

Guiding the Journey: Jericho Teachers Speak on the Value of the Discovery Award

LMC’s Discovery Award provides a unique opportunity for US and International students in grades 4 through 12 to research primary sources and use their talents to develop projects that showcase the power of one person to make positive change in the world.

Submissions for the next competition season are due July 1, 2025. Project work may begin immediately.