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Senior Reflects on Summer Experience at National History Academy

Aisha Brown '25

The summer before her senior year, Aisha Brown '25 spent one month exploring American history in a truly unique way that few have the chance to experience.

Aisha was selected to join high school students from around the country in this year's National History Academy. The four-week residential summer program is based in Middleburg, Va., with the goal of teaching students about U.S. history and inspiring them to become active stakeholders in our democracy. Through discussions, debates and visits to key historical sites, students come away better prepared for college and with a deeper understanding and appreciation of what it means to be an American.

"I took AP U.S. History my junior year, so when I arrived at the National History Academy, I found myself enveloped in the lessons from my textbook," said Aisha. "Connecting the historical knowledge I learned at NSA to the sites and speakers from the academy was a surreal experience that helped me fully understand the extent of how our nation was built."

Each week, Aisha and her classmates spent three days visiting our country's seminal historic sites, like Antietam, Harpers Ferry, the Capitol Building and the National Archives. Students then spent three days in the classroom, delving deeply into major themes related to those site visits. Classroom learning included discussions with notable speakers like Ernest Green, Vint Cerf, Rep. Dean Phillips, Brent Glass and many more.

"The speakers, in conjunction with the historical sites, linked American history together in a way that allowed me not only to learn but also piece together historical events and figures," said Aisha. "As I actively explored each site, I found the answers to all of the questions I asked myself during class time."

One of Aisha's favorite moments from the program was when she had the chance to mediate a class discussion with Ernest Green. Ernest was one of the members of the Little Rock Nine, which was a group of students, who, in 1957, became the first Black students to ever attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Ernest became the first Black student to graduate from the high school in 1958. Martin Luther King Jr. attended Ernest's graduation ceremony with his family.

"As the discussion with Mr. Green began, I found myself completely engrossed in his story," said Aisha. "From the obstacles he overcame, to the path he paved for generations of African-American students, he never once had a negative memory he shared. He said that although the experience itself was unfortunate, the lessons he learned, the friends he made and the social structures he broke down were well worth it. Those hours spent speaking with him are hours I will never forget."

Applications for the 2025 National History Academy will open in December. For more information about the program, please visit their website.

 

 


 

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