Three Great Neck students have been recognized by the New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust for outstanding research.
Last month, Jonah Mittler, Samuel Sommer and Max Summers of Great Neck South High School were named recipients of the 2012 Laura and Robert Chodos Award for Excellence in Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12, for their entry “Corruption and Reform in New York State.”
Using historical records from the Library of Congress, the University of California Library, New York Times Archives, and Harper's Weekly, the trio of students developed a comprehensive documentary on the political corruption and reform movements in New York City and New York State governments during the Progressive Era, 1890-1920.
The students used a wide variety of historical newspapers, political cartoons, archival photographs, and portraits to illustrate the scandals and investigations that led to the development of reform laws.
The role of immigrants, voting ballot methods, and bribery and threats that propelled the progressive movement forward were investigated.
The Student Research Awards are named for Regent Emerita Laura Chodos and her late husband, Dr. Robert Chodos, who created an endowment to encourage students to explore the wealth of historical records in New York State.
The awards, which include a framed certificate and a check for $125, are presented annually to a student, or group of students, in New York State who have made outstanding use of historical records in their research.
“Each year, we invite students and educators from throughout the state to conceive projects which utilize primary source documents to explore New York’s glorious past. From hundreds of submissions, we select the very finest," said said State Archivist Christine Ward in a press release. "It is our hope that the enjoyment that these young people and their mentors derived in putting together these award winning efforts will make history relevant for them in the near future and throughout their academic careers.”
