Perry Lee and Mary Palmer
2002
Bismarck, ND
Century Senior High School
First Place Winner
$27,000
![](/sites/www/files/styles/unsung_hero/public/unsung_hero_images/unsung_2002_first.jpg.webp?itok=EbZkd5ml)
Lee & Palmer's "Preserving Their Stories" project combines American history and American literature to preserve local history through student documentaries. At the beginning of the school year, 90 students choose a historic event and conduct interviews in their community to capture true accounts of that moment in time. Through use of cameras and videotape, the students get the satisfaction sharing a completed project with contributors and the public. Documentary showings have brought high emotions and a fantastic opportunity to educate all, outside the classroom, about local history. The program plans to take the documentaries and students on the road to set up workshops for graduate credit.