After exploring, analyzing, and discussing a variety of historical events, issues, figures, and groups in the US History course, students were tasked with choosing one to memorialize for their final exam. 

Having studied the controversies surrounding Confederate monuments at the start of the year and concluding with Maya Lin's design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, students had to choose something or someone they believe has been underrepresented, misrepresented, or even ignored in the official story of the United States.  Once chosen, they had to argue why their memorial deserved to be constructed and what emotions and messages they hoped to convey.  Students then presented their finished memorials to their respective classes and two finalists were selected to present to both classes in a "structured academic controversy," in which students strive to listen and understand their opponent's perspective rather than defeat them.  Dr. Engl served as the judge and determined which memorial was more worthy of being constructed.

The two finalists were Caden Kohan '24 and Jasmine Scott '24.