Sun Prairie High School students help keep local history alive

Eighty high school sophomores and juniors recently interviewed local residents about their life experiences and remembrances. The sessions were part of the Oral History Interview Project initiated this year by social studies teachers Robert Meyer and Nathan Grundahl.

Students interviewed 21 Sun Prairie residents at least 60 years old.

They then transcribed the interviews and plan to publish the collection.

Sun Prairie attorney Tom Hebl and former school superintendent Ollie Berge were two Sun Prairie residents interviewed.

Retired Sun Prairie High School math teacher Pete Twedell was also interviewed. When asked about John F. Kennedy, Twedell said he remembered when Kennedy came to Houston and his entire high school emptied out to go to the stadium to hear him speak.

Twedell said he believed the country lost its innocence when Kennedy was assassinated.

The students asked the community members about their memories of the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as their experiences from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Meyer is very happy with many lessons students are learning from this class project. "This has been an eye-opening experience for our students," he said. "Meeting our community members and realizing what they've seen throughout their lives helps give the kids a personal perspective on U.S. History."

The oral history project was partially funded by a grant the teachers received from the Sun Prairie Education Foundation, which allowed them to purchase digital audio recorders for the interview sessions.

Pictured: Students Matt Montgomery, Tess Landphier and Torie Lovejoy interview Sun Prairie resident Brion Pagel.