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August 31. 2012 7:27PM
Nicholas Simo, 17, a senior at Milford High School, will be representing New Hampshire for the unveiling of the new Freedom Pavilion at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans after winning the Salute to Freedom essay contest. (Courtesy)
Milford teen to compete in World War II contest
Nicholas Simo, 17, a senior at Milford High School, will be representing New Hampshire for the unveiling of the new Freedom Pavilion at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans after winning the Salute to Freedom essay contest. (Courtesy)
MILFORD — A high school senior with a passion for history will head to the Big Easy as the Granite State's winner of the National World War II Museum's Salute to Freedom contest.
Nicholas Simo, 17, a senior at Milford High School, will represent New Hampshire at the grand opening of the museum's U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center in New Orleans in January.
While a junior, Simo entered the contest, a partnership with the museum and the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, and was asked to respond to two essay questions in order to show their knowledge of their state's role in World War II.
To win the contest, Simo focused on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the incredible effort made by men and women to turn out submarines during the war.
“A lot of people think the shipyard was in Maine, but back then, it was part of New Hampshire,” said Simo. “They pumped out more submarines than anywhere else in the country. It was a huge contribution to the war effort.”
Simo said he decided to join the contest after receiving an application in the mail and some encouragement from a teacher. He discovered he won the contest when he visited Washington with his history club in June.
“History is definitely a passion,” he said. “I just love history. It's my favorite subject.”
Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, president and CEO of The National World War II Museum, said Simo “is a great example of just one standout student who recognizes the important lessons of World War II, why it was fought, how it was won and how it continues to have an impact today.”
Mueller said it's particularly important for kids in New Hampshire to understand how World War II changed the world, and the country, because there aren't many veterans left to share their stories.
“… there are currently only 7,280 World War II veterans left in the state and by 2020 there will be 1,734,” said Mueller.
Before the students head to the The National World War II Museum, they'll be asked to create projects that will be displayed at the museum, featuring images from the war and showing the connection to the student's state.
“I'll be focusing on Portsmouth Naval Shipyard again, because there's so much to tell,” said Simo.
The museum's new Freedom Pavilion will pay tribute to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who were active in the war and will contain a collection of large artifacts including a restored B-17 Flying Fortress and an interactive submarine experience based on the final mission of the USS Tang.
“I cannot wait to go,” said Simo. “It's going to be an amazing experience.”
.
For more information visit www.nationalww2museum.org.
nfoster@newstote.com
Nicholas Simo, 17, a senior at Milford High School, will represent New Hampshire at the grand opening of the museum's U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center in New Orleans in January.
While a junior, Simo entered the contest, a partnership with the museum and the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, and was asked to respond to two essay questions in order to show their knowledge of their state's role in World War II.
To win the contest, Simo focused on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the incredible effort made by men and women to turn out submarines during the war.
“A lot of people think the shipyard was in Maine, but back then, it was part of New Hampshire,” said Simo. “They pumped out more submarines than anywhere else in the country. It was a huge contribution to the war effort.”
Simo said he decided to join the contest after receiving an application in the mail and some encouragement from a teacher. He discovered he won the contest when he visited Washington with his history club in June.
“History is definitely a passion,” he said. “I just love history. It's my favorite subject.”
Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, president and CEO of The National World War II Museum, said Simo “is a great example of just one standout student who recognizes the important lessons of World War II, why it was fought, how it was won and how it continues to have an impact today.”
Mueller said it's particularly important for kids in New Hampshire to understand how World War II changed the world, and the country, because there aren't many veterans left to share their stories.
“… there are currently only 7,280 World War II veterans left in the state and by 2020 there will be 1,734,” said Mueller.
Before the students head to the The National World War II Museum, they'll be asked to create projects that will be displayed at the museum, featuring images from the war and showing the connection to the student's state.
“I'll be focusing on Portsmouth Naval Shipyard again, because there's so much to tell,” said Simo.
The museum's new Freedom Pavilion will pay tribute to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who were active in the war and will contain a collection of large artifacts including a restored B-17 Flying Fortress and an interactive submarine experience based on the final mission of the USS Tang.
“I cannot wait to go,” said Simo. “It's going to be an amazing experience.”
.
For more information visit www.nationalww2museum.org.
nfoster@newstote.com
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