Feature Article Anaheim celebrates "The Gift of History"
The Fairmont Private School - Anaheim Hills Campus third graders were part of making history on Tuesday, November 8 as they were part of the Guinness World Record breaking crowd for the "world largest history lesson!"
ANAHEIM - Nearly 15,000 screaming third graders from across Orange County set a world record at Angel Stadium on Tuesday morning for the largest-ever history lesson. A representative from Guinness World Records was flown in by an Anaheim police helicopter that landed in center field. He made the announcement that the students had, indeed, set a new record, though the official number had yet to be determined.
Guinness officials said such a record did exist: 1,198 students, set earlier this year in England. It was clear that the Orange County students had shattered that mark.
The goal of the Gift of History event, sponsored by the Disneyland Resort and Angels Baseball among many others, was to get the third graders excited about learning Orange County history. And, at the same time, organizers hope to help students realize that they are part of Orange County's ongoing story and they have the ability to make history. The event had been an Anaheim-only event in previous years, attracting up to 5,000 students to the Convention Center. This year it was expanded to include all of Orange County and moved to the stadium.
This wasn't your typical history lesson. Besides the helicopter, students were treated to a Disney-produced show that included music and video on the stadium's big screen. Disney Channel star Caroline Sunshine, a Tustin native who gave a shout-out to her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Sharp, emceed the show. Local historians and authors Gail Eastman and Stan Oftelie were escorted in by horse-drawn carriage to talk about regional history, from dinosaurs to early settlements, citrus ranching to amusement parks and beyond. Former O.C. Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez was escorted to the infield stage aboard an Anaheim Fire truck to talk about how important water is to the region, while Angels broadcaster Jose Mota spoke to the students about Orange County's population growth to 3 million people and the freeways and other transportation that keeps it all moving. Perhaps the loudest greeting was reserved for Bill Habermehl, superintendent of Orange County schools - which likely had something to do with him riding into the stadium alongside Mickey Mouse. Habermehl encouraged students to stay excited about history and keep studying. They all received a backpack and a copy of Oftelie's book, "Nothing Rhymes with Orange," which details local historical figures such as James Irvine, Walter Knott and Philip Stanton. Habermehl encouraged students to think about their place in history. "(You) will create a bright future for Orange County," he said. "The important thing to remember about history is that we all write it together."
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Scoreboard
DSL Football vs McDowell
Cougars win 30-22
DSL Volleyball vs McDowell
Lady Cougars win 25-22, 25-18
DSL Football vs Mable
Cougars win 18-7
Congratulations to the UNDEFEATED
DSL League Champions!
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Dates to Know
Tuesday, November 15 Junior High Instrumental Program at 1:30pm
Thursday, November 17
Second Grade to Knott's Berry Farm
Friday, November 18-First Trimester Ends
-Kindergarten to Centennial Farms
-Junior High to Knott's Berry Farm for Fun Friday
Wednesday, November 23
NO school - Teacher In-Service
Thursday, November 24-Friday, November 25
Thanksgiving Holiday Break - NO school
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