History, humanitarianism and leadership are at the heart of a special accolade earned by one Thomas County Central High School senior. Brooklyn Reese is a recipient of the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award presented by the National World War II Museum.
This award is bestowed yearly upon one student from each state who exemplifies the American Spirit in his or her community.
“I am so honored to have won the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award,” Reese said. “Only one student from each state is chosen, so it is truly amazing and exciting to have won. It means a lot to me because it shows that others have seen my actions as a student and as a leader within my school.”
The award gets its name from a 6-year-old from Zimmerman, Louisiana, who aided his one-room school in winning a statewide scrap metal collection contest during World War II. It is meant to promote values such as leadership, teamwork, tolerance, perseverance and creativity to students nationwide.
Reese was nominated by Dr. George E. Cressman Jr., a military historian, long-time National History Day judge and president of the Camp Blanding Museum Association who was her mentor during the Georgia World War I Centennial Commission trip to visit World War I sites in France last summer. Reese won this trip through her standout NHD Georgia project on the “Hello Girls,” U.S. Army Signal Corps female telephone operators and translators who were on the front lines in France during World War I.
“In preparing for the trip and on the trip, I had the opportunity to work with Brooklyn and learn about her many achievements,” Cressman said. “I was mightily impressed and felt she was a great candidate for the Billy Michal Award, an award recognizing service and academic achievement.”
Cressman is thrilled with Reese’s recognition.
“I believe she perfectly represents the personal characteristics of service, selflessness and intellectual strength,” he said. “I am most pleased I have had the opportunity to know her, her family and her sponsoring teacher. I look for many great accomplishments to come!”
This award celebrates the American Spirit within the nation’s youth. Reese believes someone embodies such spirit by being a leader who is tolerant, creative, determined and emphasizes teamwork. She feels her volunteer work and NHD accomplishments made her stand out among the state’s pool of nominees.
“Over summer, I had the opportunity to work with the Georgia World War I Centennial Commission to help build their World War I database,” she said. “I searched area counties for World War I memorials, photographed them, and then found the names of those who fought and died in those counties. I then sent these to be digitalized for the collection. In addition, I volunteer with the Thomas County Historical Society. Over summer, I was a camp counselor at Camp Dawson. I created ‘Travel Trunk’ collections with primary artifacts and other documents. There, I also cataloged new artifacts into collections. I continue to volunteer as I can.”
Reese thanks Cressman, as well as her history teachers who challenged her to compete and improve her performance in NHD each year, and the Georgia World War I Centennial Commission for helping to make this recognition possible.
She will travel to New Orleans to receive her award and take part in the student leadership luncheon May 22-24. Part of her trip is attending a question and answer session with the 2019 American Spirit Medallion recipients. She will be allowed to ask questions to specific honorees including Peggy Noonan, a Pulitzer-prize winning columnist for “The Wall Street Journal” who has assisted as a speechwriter for several presidents.
Another perk to this already fantastic opportunity is the city itself, Reese adds.
“I look forward to being able to travel and experience New Orleans,” she said. “I will be able to explore the Cajun city. I will also explore the National World War II Museum, one of the best museums in the nation. I am so honored to have won this award.”