Presentations and Announcements from the Class of 2026


October 1, 2026

Large group standing on Omaha Beach holding a banner

Class of 2026 on the Dog Green Sector of Omaha Beach

September 30, 2026: Avery Shouse, student, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was named a National Merit Finalist. Congratulations Avery! 

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Woman standing at gravesite with two flags and holding a photo of a soldier

September 30, 2026: Annika Small, student, from Prairieville, Louisiana, was named Student of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year at Dutchtown High School. Congratulations Annika!

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Graphic showing headshot of a student as student of the year

September 8, 2026: Sophia Hyatt, student, and Jennifer Ameigh, teacher, from Sayre, Pennsylvania presented their research at the Sayre Area School Board meeting.

August 5, 2026: Ava Gallo, student, and Marisa Astin, teacher, from Rutland, Vermont presented their research at the Vermont VFW in Rutland City.

August 5, 2026: Olivia Stetler, student, and Kemp Burpeau, teacher, from Wilmington, North Carolina spoke about interpreting history and Olivia's time as an artist during her time on the Normandy Institute trip at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History pop-up exhibit.

August 4, 2026: Ava Gallo, student, and Marisa Astin, teacher, from Rutland Vermont presented their research about PFC John R. Hawkins at the Vermont American Legion in Wallingford.

August 2, 2026 Ava Gallo, student, and Marisa Astin, teahcer, from Rutland, Vermont presented their research at the Vermont American Legion in Castleton. 

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Student presenting at American Legion

July 28, 2026: Olivia Stetler, student, and Kemp Burpeau, teacher, from Wilmington, North Carolina spoke with a group of teens interested in history about the Institute during a watercolor workshop at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.

February 9, 2026: Annika Small, student, and Mandy Perret, teacher, from Prairieville, Louisiana received recognition on their school's Facebook for their acceptance to the 2026 Normandy Institute. 

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Two women sitting together

December 18, 2025: Carlee Mushitz, student, and Brett Brennan, teacher, from Watertown, South Dakota received recognition on their school's Facebook for their acceptance to the 2026 Normandy Institute and other professional development programs they have participated in.

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Two women standing together

December 17, 2025: Max Meenan, student, and Carl Tyce, teacher, from Perkasie, Pennsylvania received recognition on their school's Facebook for their acceptance to the 2026 Normandy Institute. They were photographed with their school principal. 

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Three men standing together in front of a school hallway