Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Newsletter Oct. 2025

October 14, 2025

Vol. 10

Help us discover the next Unsung Hero!

DISCOVER. CREATE. CHANGE.

The 2026 Discovery Award Competition is open!

Students in grades 4–12 can bring to light an Unsung Hero, someone who made a profound and positive impact on history but whose story isn’t widely known.

Do you know a student who loves history, storytelling, or making a difference?

Encourage them to enter the

Lowell Milken Center’s Discovery Award Competition!

Students can create a documentary, performance, or website about an Unsung Hero and compete for cash prizes.

Entries are due July 1, 2026.
Learn more: lowellmilkencenter.org/competitions/discovery-award

Give Your Students the Chance to Shine Beyond the Classroom

Looking for a project that combines creativity, research, and purpose through project-based learning?

The Discovery Award challenges students to uncover an Unsung Hero, an individual whose actions made a profound and positive impact on history, but who remains largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. Then bring their story to life through a documentary, performance, or website.

Perfect for grades 4–12, this competition supports project-based learning by inspiring critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.

If your students are already competing in other competitions, their projects can be modified to meet the Discovery Award criteria.

Entries due July 1, 2026
Learn more here →

In the News: Discovery Award Success Stories

Visit Our Newsroom

Student Spotlight: Emma Manion — Bringing Ada Deer’s Story to Life

When Emma Manion, a student from Kettle Moraine High School, began researching Unsung Hero Ada Deer, she discovered far more than a history project — she found inspiration that changed the way she sees leadership, courage, and advocacy.

In this short video, Emma and her teacher, Terry Kaldhusdal, share how creating her award-winning Discovery Award performance, “Ada Deer: The Unsung Hero of Native American Advocacy,” shaped both of their lives and deepened their understanding of what one person’s actions can achieve.

Video courtesy of Kettle Moraine Communications Coordinator, Sara Otto

Each year, thousands of visitors walk through the doors of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes—and they leave inspired. From teachers and students to lifelong learners, guests share how meaningful and powerful the Unsung Hero stories are. Their remarks just a glimpse of the impact the Center is making.

Want to experience it for yourself? Schedule a group tour or plan your visit today! Call us at 620-223-1312 or email: [email protected] for more information.