Jerry Moran: “I want to share a story about the value of studying history, the importance of great teachers, the power of educating…”

“I want to share a story about the value of studying history, the importance of great teachers, the power of educating students, and the glory of a life lived in service to others. In 1999, Norm Conard, a history and social studies teacher in Uniontown High School in southeast Kansas came across a clipping from U.S. News and World Report explaining the story of Irena Sendler, who helped rescue as many as 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust. Mr. Conard, along with his students, ninth graders Megan Stewart, Elizabeth Cambers, Jessica Shelton, and 11th grader Sabrina Coons, wondered if the article could just be a misprint. Mr. Conard encouraged his students to participate in the National History Day and learn more, find out the answer. An initial Internet search found just one additional article about Irena Sendler, but the students dug deeper and discovered an amazing story that was nearly lost to history. While searching for Irena's resting place, the students discovered that she was, in fact, alive.”