Virginia Student Selected As a 2024 Student of the Year by George Washington’s Mount Vernon

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Every year George Washington’s Mount Vernon chooses two students as recipients of the Mount Vernon Prize for Excellence in Civics and History. Katie Wurst of Falls Church is an honoree as well Sachin Saravanan from Jacksonville, FL. The award honors Dr. Jennifer London.

“This year’s Student of the Year Award recipients have created powerful projects that reflect George Washington’s incredible legacy of service and leadership,” said Allison Wickens, Education Vice President for Mount Vernon. “It is remarkable to see how President Washington continues to inspire future generations through this award.”

Katie Wurst

Wurst attends Acton Academy in her hometown. Her project documented a three-week classroom activity, where students played patriots and loyalists. On video, she captured activities that helped her classmates learn what led to the Rovolutionary War. She sought to document how thoughts and emotions changed over the course of the project.

Sachin Saravanan

Saravanan is a graduate of Stanton College Preparatory High School in Jacksonville. His project examines George Washington’s leadership of the Continental Army in Valley Forge. In his documentary short, Saravanan discusses Washington’s qualities – among them humility and seeking counsel from advisors – that would aid him in the forming of his cabinet as president and create a blueprint for future administrations.

Wurst received a $1,000 prize and a family membership to Mount Vernon while Saravanan received $5,000 and the same membership.

Mount Vernon’s School Advisory Board, made up of high schoolers, plays an important role in the selection process.  They also help the Estate create learning opportunities, evaluate programs, and develop new initiatives.

Learn more about the Mount Vernon Prize for Excellence in Civics and History by clicking HERE.

Hollywood Stars Highlight Multiple Aspects of Washington’s Legacy

Mount Vernon is dedicated to supporting civics education. New resources available to visitors include videos by stars of the big screen. Harrison Ford (Yes, Indiana Jones himself!) is seen in “Encouraging National Unity,” Don Cheadle in “Relinquishing Power,”  Zoe Saldana in “Inspiring Civic Virtue,” and Maya Hawke in “Securing Individual Freedoms.”  The common thread in these videos is that all cover topics Washington cared about deeply. Watch the videos HERE.

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