 | Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS) hosted the Living History Book event recently, an event that brought students from grades 7-12 together to meet with those who have attended, assisted, and contributed to the rich history of the area.
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Cornwall - March 15, 2012 - Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS) hosted the “Living History Book” event recently, an event that brought students from grades 7-12 together to meet with those who have attended, assisted, and contributed to the rich history of the area.
Over 200 students attended the Cornwall Armoury to meet with local historical guests. There were two circuits throughout the day - 8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. - 2:10 p.m., each with five stations:
Hoople Creek Battle: Presenter: Colonel Bill Shearing (retired) - focused on the local battle and its contribution to the 1812 success.
Missing: Presenter: Gregory Pollard - researched and wrote the book Missing about the death of his uncle, Lance Corporal George C. Pollard, who was killed in World War II. Gregory is a CCVS graduate.
SD&G Highlanders Museum: Presenter: Curator Leon Chamois - focused on military experiences as displayed in the museum.
Royal Canadian Legion: Presenters: Ken Heagle, Bob McDonald, Ernie Payne and Charlie Sayeau - focused on what the Legion is and why it exists.
Glens Tour: Presenters: Colonel Bill Masson (retired) and Captain Ron Coughlin (retired) - focused on architectural and artifact features of the Cornwall Armoury.
Pollard’s presentation included a book full of original letters that his uncle had written to family members, photographs, as well as additional historical books where he learned about the war and found inspiration.
Pollard said it meant a lot to him to speak with students about his uncle’s story.
“These students can’t forget what happened,” he said. “This is big history to Cornwall. My uncle lived only a block away from here, and he never came home.
“War is not good,” he added. “It’s not like a video game. There are no levels to beat in war. You can’t change the past, but you can change the future.”
CCVS students Jessica Regnier and Lexie Wright, both in grade 10, said they enjoyed learning about history from real people who experienced it themselves.
“I think it’s really cool we get to come here and do this,” said Wright. “It’s not something you get to do every day.”
“Everything that is here has so much history,” said Regnier. “There is nostalgia. I think it’s incredible for CCVS to plan this. Other students get to learn our history through stories.”
“You can’t make this connection in a text book,” said Wright.
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