A Burrell High School teacher and student have been selected to represent Pennsylvania in a history enrichment program this July, held in conjunction with America’s 250th birthday.
Teacher Amanda Pagnotta and sophomore Bella Procopio are participating in the Young People’s Continental Congress, a joint program with the National History Day organization and Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia.
“I’m really into law and history,” said Procopio, 16. “We have classes and live meetings with different professors. It’s rewarding to go and see different perspectives from all over the country.”
Pagnotta and Procopio comprise one of 28 student-teacher teams nationwide — and the only team from Pennsylvania — to participate in the program.
“I didn’t think we were going to get in,” Procopio said. “It feels special because it’s just us representing Pennsylvania.”
They will complete online lessons throughout the spring, learning about the Continental Congress and the ways the United States’ founding ideals evolved throughout history.
They will travel to Philadelphia from July 19 to 25 and experience learning opportunities at Carpenters’ Hall, Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
“(Procopio) getting to have real experience in the field, that network is so priceless for her to have that opportunity,” Pagnotta said.
Pagnotta described the curriculum as a “deep dive into our founding era.”
The program encourages students and teachers to consider all perspectives of history.
“There’s always something new to discover,” she said. “You can do so many new things, and you can piece together the most complete story of what happened.”
Procopio is the president of Burrell’s Mock Trial team and also will participate in Lower Burrell’s Citizens Police Academy. Pagnotta said students look up to Procopio’s leadership.
Procopio hopes to enter the field of law.
“She is a law and political science nerd in all the best ways,” Pagnotta said.
