One of my favorite things about winter are the footprints you make in the snow after a fresh snowfall- the imprint of the path you took on your way to another location, a trace of a person who once stood there. I often find myself mesmerized at the tracks on the ground. I admire the […]
Blog
Campus Life at Foxcroft School
Campus Life National History Academy is located on the secluded campus of Foxcroft School located in Middleburg, Virginia. Class sizes are small, with an average of 13 students per classroom, with one teacher and 1-2 teaching assistants. Students will typically be in a classroom three times per week. Class time is used to hold case discussions, […]
I am ignorant of myself and the history of my skin. A glimpse, a clue, a hint of where and what I came from inflames my curiosity and hunger to know more about the origin of my diaspora. Before 2016, I knew nothing about myself. I only knew what the antiquated and impaired history books […]
Better Angels Debates
Messy. Arguments. Presidential debates. Bickering. Back-and-forth. Ugly. All words that my peers and I responded with when Ms. April Lawson asked us what we believed debates were like. She soon reassured us that our debates during our time here would be nothing like that. In fact, they were just an intellectual conversation. This is what […]
Dickinson College
Waking up from the bus ride, I was expecting to see a stereotypical college town. I was used to seeing newly erected buildings and remnants of the young college life on a campus. What I encountered was far different from what my expectations were. Dickinson College is in the middle of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a town […]
Ready, Set, Chess!
Here at the National History Academy, our time isn’t spent solely on learning about the wonders of American history and how it impacts us today. During our spare time, we love to engage in many activities either as newcomers or as experienced veterans who wish to flaunt their skills. That’s what most should expect to […]
The Battle of Gettysburg
Having a first-hand experience at Gettysburg was the most surreal feeling. It’s almost hard to remember that at one point the land was witness to bloodshed of our American people. These battlefields have such a salient part in our history and it’s comforting to know that as long as people continue to care, they will […]
The Hallowed Ground of Gettysburg
The day started with incomprehensible chatter, noises that filtered out as I gazed through the bus window and watched my temporary home shrink in the distance. It would take another hour until we pulled onto the hallowed ground and all I could do was think. I remembered our previous trip, the Bloody Lane at Antietam, […]
Gettysburg National Military Park
“Four score and seven years ago…” is among the phrases that all Americans (well, at least those at National History Academy) instantly recognize as part of the fabric of America. President Abraham Lincoln began his most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, with those very words. The Gettysburg Address affected civilians and soldiers alike because nearly […]
Hi all, Gina Rufo again. Thank you for the positive feedback on my last post about Montpelier! This blog post is dedicated to recalling our trip to Harper’s Ferry and the things that Dennis Frye (who I have been fortunate enough to contact in preparation for writing this) taught us about the actions of John […]
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
George Washington has positively contributed to American society by leading the Continental Army to triumph, establishing the role as the First President of the United States, and leading the nation towards national unity by signing the bank bill to establish a national bank. Although George Washington did have many positive attributes to American Society, he […]
Reflections on Debates
When the Founding Fathers were drafting the Constitution, there were many disputes. Not everyone was in agreement and many voiced their opinion through debate. Debate promoted equity of voice and compromise when drafting the Constitution. Debate was the mere reason why we even have a Constitution today. Additionally, debate is still used in Congress to […]