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May 2015 Serving Danville Contra Costa National History Day Winners Head A Giant(s) Singing Honor By Linda Summers-Pirkle to State By Jody Morgan The National Anthem brings out the enthusiasm of a crowd like few
From the moment research on the annual National History Day (NHD) theme begins to the culmination of competition at the week-long National Finals held in June, 500,000 students supported by 40,000 dedicated educators enthusiastically pursue the study and presentation of their topics. Participants come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, American Samoa, International Schools of Asia, and Guam. California’s program involves 44,000 scholars in grades 4-12 in 34 counties with the top 1,000 selected to attend State Finals. This year 44 Contra Costa County finalists are preparing for state-level judging on May 8-9 at William Jessup University, just north of Sacramento. What begins for Key sponsors of NHD, Ken Behring (far left) and Pat Behring (far right) some students as enjoy hearing NHD contestants describe their projects. a classroom assignment quickly evolves into a compelling adventure. Brenda Stutzman, co-coordinator for Contra Costa History Day, includes two-dimensional poster board projects in her 5th grade curriculum at Golden View Elementary.
songs can. Regardless of age, gender, or political affiliation, when the last line begins, just about everyone can be heard belting out the words “and the home of the brave.” It is an honor to be asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner at any event, but when it’s a San Francisco Giants game with over 40,000 fans, and it’s the third time in three years, it is a phenomenon. Danville resident, Avery Chapman first sang at a Giants game when she was just eleven years old. Now aged 13, she will be singing for the third time to another packed stadium on May 5th.“I love baseball almost as much as I love singing, and I am honored to be able to sing for the Giants once again,” she says. Singing the National Anthem can be a challenge for the most seasoned performers because of the song’s extensive range. Add to that an outdoor venue, sound bounce back, and the inevitable surge of fans voices near the end of the song, and singing it can be a bit overwhelming. Not so for Avery Chapman whose quiet demeanor and reserved personality are evident in her explanation of her ap- Avery Chapman and Lou Seal after Avery had finished singing the National Anthem for See History continued on page 24 proach to her vocal performance. the first time at the 2013 S.F. Giants game. “For me, performing a song is a lot Panama-Pacific International like walking into a classroom for the first time. There’s a feeling of having focus only on you for a minute or two, but then once you find your place Exposition Exhibit Opens in Danville the it’s about the whole class working together. It’s the same thing when I am By Jody Morgan singing at a Giants game. I know I need to concentrate and focus on my In 1915 California invited the world to attend the Panama- solo performance, but then it becomes more about making the experience Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco. Be- enjoyable for the fans so we can all root for the Giants together.” tween February 20th and December 4th of that year, almost 19 See Avery continued on page 23 million visitors accepted the invitation. The Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MuseSRV) is celebrating the centennial of the An Evening with the Stars fair as a core partner with 50 other organizations including the By Jim Scala California Historical Society, the DeYoung Museum, and the Drive up Mt. Diablo on May 23rd, and Bernard Maybeck Foundation. The exhibit opening at MuseSRV arrive at the lower summit parking lot by on May 5th comes to Danville after a yearlong run at the Capitol Museum in Sacramento. about 6:30PM for an inspiring evening with How did the San Ramon Valley’s own museum manage to acquire the Sacramento the stars. The program will begin at 7:30PM. presentation? MuseSRV Executive Director Daniel Dunn explains, “We became aware You’ll see the universe as never before. of the exhibition ‘California Invites the World: the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition’ at the Capitol Museum due to our partnership with the PPIE100 organiz- Members of the Mt. Diablo Astronomical society (MDAS) will be standing body.” After Dunn and several MuseSRV Board members visited the impressive ing by their telescopes to show you celestial objects. You’ll see craters display, they discovered that once “California Invites the World” closed in Sacramento, of the Moon and the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Some deep sky objects including no plans existed for continuation at other venues. Volume VI - Number 7 “I contacted Renato Consoli who is the Exhibit Designer/Coordinator at the State nebulae and star clusters should be viewable. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Capitol Museum,” Dunn recalls. “As museum professionals, we have an interest in The views will capture your imagination, and Alamo, CA 94507 having exhibitions that we have worked on have a life past our exhibit schedule.” the night sky will never be the same again. (925) 405-6397 MuseSRV obtained permission to borrow objects in the exhibit belonging to the Cali- Every visitor says, “Wow!” many times during Fax (925) 406-0547 fornia State Library and private collectors as well as components created by the Capitol a viewing. In twilight, before observing action Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher See Exhibit continued on page 22 starts, you’ll be treated to a short talk entitled, editor@ “Planets of our Solar System.” Then you’ll yourmonthlypaper.com PRSRT STD walk among the various telescopes and see a U.S. Postage The opinions expressed herein belong spectacular sight through each one. PAID Local to the writers, and do not necessarily Astronomy is called the “gateway science” reflect that of Danville Today News. Permit 263 Postal Customer Danville Today News is not Alamo CA because many scientists, engineers, and medi- responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does cal doctors say their scientific curiosity was ECRWSS
See Stars continued on page 27
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