News Release

Thadra Stanton Education Award

(Left to Right) Mike Russo, SEAC O&E Executive Sponsor, Thadra Stanton, and SEAC Director, David Morgan at the presentations of the 2018 Regional and National NPS Awards for Achieving Relevance in Education.

(NPS Photo)

News Release Date: August 20, 2018

SEAC’s Thadra Stanton wins the National Achieving Relevance in Education (ARE) award.
Presented for outstanding achievements in Education and Outreach, Achieving Relevance awards are given annually by the National Park Service (NPS) in five different categories related to NPS interpretation programs. Thadra won the regional AR Education award for her extensive archeological presentations to school children in the Southeast Region and on her initiation of a Girl Scouts of America Archeology Ranger patch presented at a number of Parks. She then went on to compete for recognition with other NPS educators across the nation, winning the National ARE on June 25 as announced by Thomas Medema, Associate Director for Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers.

All of Thadra’s outreach and education programs at SEAC are designed to teach the nation’s youth about the need to protect and preserve archeological resources, as well as allow their participation in simulated archeological projects. Thadra relied heavily on the generosity of managers and staff from all SEAC divisions to help in her efforts.

The ARE award in education reflects achievement in one of NPS’s primary missions—“to collaborate on teaching and learning about the interconnections of human culture and nature, natural systems, and the values of America’s diverse heritage.” Thadra is the first archeologist to win the award.