Ms. Jayda Pugliese, Principal, teaches a seventh grade elective every Wednesday afternoon, leading students through various hands-on, collaborative projects. One activity that students participate in is the “Unsung Hero Project.” This project allows students to investigate and uncover the stories of unsung heroes through conducting in-depth research. Once their research is complete, students create a documentary, website, or performance detailing the life of their unsung hero. Students then submit their projects to the international competition called the Discovery Award, an award granted by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Saint Mary Interparochial School is excited to share that Noa, 24’ and Gabriel, 24’ have advanced to the international semi-finals of the Discovery Award competition for the submission of their Unsung Hero Project, Maurice Ralph Hilleman. “Maurice Ralph Hilleman (1919–2005) was one of the greatest microbiologists/vaccinologists of all time. His leadership and innovations blazed new trails in virology, epidemiology, immunology, cancer research, and vaccine development that were unmatched.” - National Library of Medicine
Congratulations to Gabriel and Noa for all their hard work and in bringing recognition to Mr. Hilleman’s remarkable achievements in health and science! Ms Pugliese says, ”While working on an unsung hero project, it is so important to be passionate about your topic and truly believe in the work of your unsung hero. I know Gabriel and Noa were both inspired to choose this topic due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they selected a wonderful individual to highlight, whose groundbreaking work still influences our medical profession. I am so proud of their hard work in showcasing Maurice Hilleman and his life’s work through a documentary. I wish them the best of luck in the next round of the competition.” Finalists for the Discovery Award competition will be announced in early September!
Using STREAM/Entrepreneurial technology Gabriel and Noa made this laser engraving of Marice giving the first vaccine to his daughter; demonstrating how confident he was in the vaccines. He created over 40 vaccines, some of which are included in the outline of the syringe pictured above.
The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes 2024 Discovery Award Semi-Finalists
We are so proud to share that two of our student groups have become national semi-finalists in the Discovery Award Competition for the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Claire Z., Caroline G., and Lucia C., for their project on William Bronston. Nico C., Sadie G., and Grace R., on their project on Truus Menger-Oversteegan.
William Bronston is an American psychiatrist and activist known for his involvement in the deinstitutionalization of Willowbrook State School in the early 1970s. Willowbrook was a state-supported institution for children with intellectual disabilities in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Staten Island in New York City, which operated from 1947 until 1987. The girls created a documentary detailing his involvement in shining a light on the inhumane care at the state school and he helped shut it down. The documentary showcases images and videos of the girls’ interviews with Dr. Bronston.
Process Paper and Annotated Bibliography Link
Truus Menger-Oversteegan was a Dutch resistance member during the occupation of the Netherlands in World War II when she was just a teenager. She was a member and then leader of the anti-Nazi Dutch Resistance, together with her sister Freddie Oversteegen and their friend Hannie Schaft. The three women began bombing trains, smuggling out Jewish children, and running refugee safehouses. But their most dangerous work was also their most unlikely: assassinating Nazi officers in broad daylight. Nico, Sadie, and Grace were able to interview direct sources that personally knew Truus and her sister Freddie, author Sophie Poldermans and Truus’ daughter, Hannie. The girls’s showcased their work with a interview style video with reenactments.
Video - coming soon
“These role models demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion without seeking credit for it. They changed the world and influenced our lives, but their names are often not found in history books. We call them Unsung Heroes—but they are only unsung until discovered and celebrated.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes' Discovery Award competition provides students a unique opportunity to do just that: use their creative talents to research primary sources and develop outstanding projects that feature Unsung Heroes who can serve as role models and inspire others to create change.” -www.lowellmilkencenter.org/competitions/discovery-award