Oct. 15, 2007

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation today announced the recipients of the 2007 Odyssey Award, honoring educators who excel at teaching Michigan history. Teachers from schools in Potterville, Rochester and South Rockwood will receive the prestigious award during the 2007 Jingle Ball on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing.

Reservations are now being taken for the Jingle Ball, which - in addition to the presentation of the Odyssey awards - will include live music and dancing, holiday carolers and bell ringers, an array of food and beverages, the opportunity for guests to find some early holiday shopping deals on great silent-auction items and to bid on a selection of holiday trees beautifully decorated in unique styles. For more details or to make reservations, visit www.michigan.gov/jingleball or call (517) 373-2565. Jane Aldrich of WLNS and Kip Bohne of WSYM will co-host the gala.

Proceeds from the event go toward the Michigan Historical Museum's award-winning education programs, which reach more than 80,000 Michigan students every year.

"These outstanding teachers, and the programs that the Jingle Ball supports, get kids excited about learning and help them make a connection with the heritage we all share," said Pat Clark, director of the Michigan Historical Center Foundation. "Engaging educational opportunities like these bring Michigan history to life and help ensure that the stories of our state's rich past carry on to the next generation."

Odyssey Award recipients, who will each receive a plaque and $500, were selected based upon their depth of knowledge about Michigan history, creativity in teaching Michigan history and demonstrated leadership in helping others learn about Michigan history, both in their local school district and in the community.

Recipients of the 2007 Odyssey Award are:

Debra Miller - Ritter Elementary School in South Rockwood
Miller takes a hands-on approach to teaching her fourth-grade students about Michigan history with projects such as making a six-foot barn as part of a lesson about the history of farming in Michigan or researching and building a model of a Michigan lighthouse.  She takes students on tours of the Ford Rouge Plant to learn about our state's automotive heritage, and is the co-founder and coordinator of her school district's fourth-grade field trip to Lansing, where students visit five to six sites to get an up-close look at Michigan history and government.

Christine Pasternak - McGregor Elementary School in Rochester
Pasternak tries to incorporate Michigan into everything she does in her fourth-grade classroom, from having students read literature by Michigan authors to teaching them about our state's plants, animals, environment and economy.  Her students visit the Ford Rouge plant and the state capital, with Pasternak actively helping raise money for the field trips, and experience other aspects of Michigan history through activities like conducting mock interviews of Michigan governors, building working replicas of lighthouses, and creating an "ABCs of Michigan" booklet.

Thomas Truscott - Potterville High School
As a teacher and coach at Potterville High School, a job from which he has retired, Truscott inspired students with stories from Michigan's history. As a docent at the Michigan Historical Museum, he engages the students who visit the museum with his enthusiasm for, and in-depth knowledge of, Michigan history. A former president of the museum's Docent Guild, Truscott was instrumental in developing educational outreach programs, extended tours and classroom visits by docents.  He also shares his passion for Michigan history by traveling around the state, as a member of the Michigan Historical Commission, to dedicate Michigan historical markers.

Award recipients will be invited to share their ideas and expertise with other educators via the Web at www.michigan.gov/jingleball.

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center.  The center includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, the Archives of Michigan, Records Management Services, archaeological and historic preservation programs, and publications, including Michigan History magazine.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).