Young Chautauqua program seeks participants

Cristina Siqueiros, a 1999 Great Basin Young Chautauquan, presented her first-person interpretation of Dr. Eliza Cook, early Carson Valley physician, to a group of fourth grade gifted and talented students from Meneley and Scarselli schools.

From Cristina's presentation, the GT students learned about one of our community's early settlers, which will help them prepare an artifact box about their community to share with another community in the world, said GT teacher Bobbie Williams.

Cristina developed her first-person interpretation of Eliza Cook last year as an entry in the National History Day contest and was asked to participate in the Great Basin Young Chautauquan program in Reno. She has presented Eliza Cook for many school classes and other community groups.

Of her Young Chautauquan experience, Cristina says, "It's a lot of fun, but is also really challenging at times."

This year, the Carson Valley Historical Society will be sponsoring a Carson Valley Young Chautauquan program for all young people in grades 4-12 beginning in January 2000. Chautauquan programs of first-person interpretations are nationally recognized for their educational value, Williams said. Interested young students will choose an historical character to research.

With the help of facilitators, the students will develop a presentation, choose appropriate clothing to represent their character and practice their presentation. Finally, they will be presenting their characters at the Snowshoe Thompson Festival, sponsored by the Carson Valley Historical Society in Genoa in June 2000.

Interested young people, teachers or others who would like to facilitate this program are asked to contact the chairperson of the Carson Valley Young Chautauquan, Cherry Jones, at the Carson Valley Cultural Center, 782-2225, or Grace Bower, 265-6097.