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Frankfort-Schuyler Eighth Graders Explore Civil War History

Civil War reenactment performers standing side by side for a photo.

Frankfort-Schuyler eighth graders participating in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program attended a performance of “Letters Home” on March 23 at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.

Professional storytellers Lorna MacDonald Czarnota and Merri Lee Debany brought history to life by portraying two women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the Civil War, one for the Union and one for the Confederacy. Using letters, personal monologues and music, the performance offered students a vivid glimpse into the experiences of these soldiers and the impact on daily life.

Students also collaborated with peers from other districts, participating in small-group activities that encouraged them to write and present their own stories. The workshop emphasized how the Civil War influenced many aspects of American society, both in the past and today, while helping students develop writing, speaking and creative skills.

Two individuals, a man and a woman, are standing in a room with a large screen displaying an image of the Gettysburg battlefield in the background.
A classroom setting with a teacher standing at the front and several students seated at desks, engaged in a discussion or lesson.
The image shows two individuals, a man and a woman, standing in front of a large projection screen displaying a map of the United States. The individuals appear to be presenting or lecturing to a group of people seated in the room.
A group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered in a modern office-like setting with carpeted floors, exposed ceilings, and large windows.