On December 11, Darby Cheek and Jared Van Auken, two members of the educational outreach department from the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in Fredericksburg, Texas, visited Yorktown ISD. 4th-12th graders were given a presentation by Mr. Cheek on World War II in the auditorium. He went into great detail on the causes of World War II and especially focused on the war in the Pacific. He also displayed many World War II artifacts! Mr. Cheek also dressed up some of the Yorktown students in World War II gear. 4th grader Adelaine Gowens put on a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WAS) uniform and 7th grader Haeden Edmondson put on all the gear a Marine would have worn in battle.
Mr. Van Auken set up a pop-in presentation in the library where students could pop-in, handle some of the artifacts and ask questions! Most of his artifacts were communications related and he even had some cards with a QR Code, where students could listen to the codes used by the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II. Both men were also given a tour of some of the historical sites around Yorktown, including the Harlon Block Memorial.
Yorktown’s students seemed to enjoy the presentation. Sophomore Avery Martin said, “I was totally confused. I thought he (Mr. Cheek) was in the military, not a museum guy. However, he was loud and proud about what he was teaching and really taught us the importance of World War II.” Junior Gunner Mungia said, “Although the guy talked fast, I really enjoyed his presentation. I wish that we had been able to see the artifacts that he brought, up close.” Senior Trent Foerster said, “I have been to the museum in Fredericksburg, which I think is amazing! However, it was very different to have them come here and present to us. I did like the old World War II communication equipment that we were allowed to touch.” Sophomore Jackson Stanchos said, “I thought it was really cool, especially all the old gear that they brought.”
