SMS Senior is a Blanton Scholar

Contact: Renee Russell
Phone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Tappahannock (November 1, 2006)

A senior at St. Margaret’s School was among only 20 students statewide selected by the Virginia Historical Society to participate in its eighth annual Wyndham B. Blanton Scholars Forum. The historical society’s Teachers Advisory Board selected participants on the basis of a research paper competition.

Ligon Brooks, daughter of Sara, head of the science department at SMS, and Jeff Brooks of Millers Tavern, recently attended the two-day event, which is designed to bring together high school history and government students with nationally renowned history scholars. She was accompanied by history department head, Louise Velletri, who encouraged her to compete for the honor.

 

SMS senior helping run the pony rides at the Aylett Country Day School fair.
Brooks, far left, was one of only 20 students across the
state who were named Blanton Scholars and selected to study with award-winning author David McCullough.
This year’s forum leader was author David McCullough, two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Past participants in this forum include Michael Beschloss, Scott Berg, David Gergen, Ron Chernow, Edmund Morris, and Rick Atkinson.

While participating in the forum, students had the opportunity to hear McCullough’s members-only lecture. They then spent the following morning with him discussing his newest best-seller, 1776. In addition, students toured the Historical Society’s galleries, met their President Dr. Charles Bryan and had dinner at the Jefferson Hotel with Blanton alumni, who include SMS graduates Palmer Ware of Dunnsville and Sydney Harris and Katy Saunders of Tappahannock.