Book presentation: Laurel Highlands Explorers

We are looking forward to hosting this event for the locally-written children’s book The Laurel Highlands Explorers at the Heritage Discovery Center, immediately following our Sundaes with Santa event! Each child who attends gets a free children’s book autographed by the authors and illustrators, a meet & greet with the authors, and a chance to view the digital exhibit: The Laurel Highlands Explorers Digital Exhibit: The Journey Behind the Book. Refreshments will also be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

Based on a story frame designed by project leader and editor and National Geographic Certified Educator Dr. Aspen B. Mock, high school teachers Tracey King and Melissa Cabo from Greater Johnstown School District (GJSD), Deborah Gdula from Forest Hills School District (FHSD) and Michael Schellhammer from Bishop McCort High School (BMHS) all served as mentor teachers for their students, guiding them on their journeys through authoring each section of the book inspired by the ASK Learning Framework from National Geographic Education with themes of curiosity, responsibility and empowerment. The student authors and illustrators include Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School students Brady Ambrose, Alexis Henderson, Maria Felix, Nadia Daubert, Doran Faith and Lisa Konchan; Greater Johnstown High School students Cassidy Carthew, Jordan Stricker, Skyanna Yokum-Natta, Jacob Helbig, Kylie Taylor, and Mia Scaletta; and Bishop McCort High School students Madeline Oliveros, Anna Lovette, Ennio Estaban and Olivia Cover.

The storyline of the book, which has a target audience of school-age elementary children, was inspired by real-life exploration of the Laurel Highlands undertaken by the students and their teacher mentors. The story features well-known locations, symbols and more from Johnstown, including the Wagner-Ritter House, Morley’s Dog, and the Conemaugh River…with otters.