District 47 students get history lesson from President Jefferson

Renowned author, historian, and actor/interpreter Clay Jenkinson brought former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to life in front of more than 800 seventh-graders on Nov. 17 at Hannah Beardsley Middle School in Crystal Lake.

Jenkinson's visit was sponsored by the Crystal Lake Library Foundation Board, which also featured Jenkinson as the "Dueling Debater" for a benefit at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake Nov. 18.

Jenkinson, of Bismarck, N.D., is one of the country's leading Thomas Jefferson interpreters and has lectured about and portrayed Jefferson in 49 states over the past 20 years. His humorous, enlightening and educational performances have entertained U.S. Supreme Court justices, presidents and legislators, as well as numerous public, corporate and student audiences.

In addition to Thomas Jefferson, Jenkinson also assumes the historical roles of Meriwether Lewis, John Wesley Powell, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Theodore Roosevelt and has appeared on "The Today Show," "Politically Incorrect," "The Colbert Report" and CNN. He is host of the nationally syndicated radio program "The Thomas Jefferson Hour" and has written nine books.

"We were excited about this unique opportunity to bring history to life for students as they begin their study of the American Revolution, which will segue into a unit on the U.S. Constitution," noted Erin Anderson, director of literacy for District 47.

"The Crystal Lake Library Foundation Board is excited to bring this educational opportunity to D-47 seventh-grade students," said Kathryn I. Martens, library director. "This is the 11th time the foundation has partnered with the Raue to bring Mr. Jenkinson to our community. His performances are educational, enlightening, and entertaining."