The annual Irvington Historical Society’s Pat and John Ryan History Scholarship has been awarded to I.H.S. seniors Sofia Garrigo and Elliot Riseman. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded each spring to Irvington High School seniors “whose love of history and intellectual achievements in pursuing historical research serve as a model for others.  Selection criteria include the students’ academic performance, the quantity and quality of history and history-related classes taken, the students’ interest in and aptitude for history (this can also be expressed beyond the academic classroom), and an example of historical scholarship.”  Each applicant must submit a transcript and a letter of interest as well as an example of historical scholarship. Irvington High School Social Studies teacher Chris Barry, Irvington Historical Society’s board member and college professor Neil Maher, and former Irvington High School principal and Society board member Scott Mosenthal serve as judges for the contest.

Elliot’s paper is entitled “The Essential Role of American Cinema in WWII: Film media’s pivotal role in expanding American interventionism before WWII and promoting the war effort during US involvement”.  His thesis is that “American film before U.S. involvement in WWII was vital in making a conflict thousands of miles away more tangible and warranting of attention and aid.” He supports this point by describing how American sentiment prior to the war was opposed to involvement across the ocean. However, films such as Borzage’s “The Mortal Storm” and Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” helped the American public realize the dangers of Hitler’s vision of the world; they were later complemented by “Casablanca” to help promote the American war effort.

Sofia Garrigo’s paper is entitled, “The American Revolution was a Victory for Cuba as Well”. Her thesis: “During the American Revolution, in 1765-1791, Cuba played a crucial involvement in the American colony’s victory; this was through their military, monetary, and general warfare aid.” Spain sent thousands of Cuban soldiers who aided the colonies by keeping the British from flanking the American army from New York to Louisiana; they also helped barricade British forces from being aided by British ships along the southern coast. Her conclusion: “Through extensive research this (war) wasn’t won through just French aid. In reality the Cuban effort is what granted the colonists their first military win.”

Copies of these winning essays can be found HERE.