Woodrow Wilson Mock Press Conference
In honor of Presidents’ Day, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum sponsored a student mock press conference on Friday, February 13th, at Beverley Manor Middle School, just outside of Staunton. Local businessman Judd Bankert portrayed President Woodrow Wilson and took questions from 21 Beverley Manor seventh-graders acting as reporters. Seventh-grader Jacob Rhodes portrayed Joseph P. Tumulty, Wilson’s secretary, and assisted the President at the event. More than 300 students, teachers, administrators, and parents attended, including the entire seventh grade at the school. This was the fourth consecutive year the Presidential Library has sponsored the event.
The mock press conference is particularly appropriate because President Wilson was the first President to hold regular press conferences. The program marked the conclusion of the seventh-graders’ study of the World War I era. Teachers Scarlett Kiser, Cynthia Bolin, and John Sayers taught the unit, designed the program, and selected the student reporters. The students did additional research to compose their questions, and each of the 21 reporters had the opportunity to ask a question of President Wilson.
Those interested in more information about the event should contact the Museum Educator at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, at , or at (540) 885-0897, ext. 110.
did you know?
Wilson was president throughout World War I. He attempted to keep America out of
the war and even won reelection with the slogan "He kept us out of war." Nonetheless,
after the sinking of the Lusitania, continued run-ins with German submarines, and
the release of the Zimmerman Telegram, America became involved. with the Lusitania,
the continued harassment of American ships by German submarines, and the release
of the Zimmerman Telegram meant that America joined the allies in April, 1917.
Woodrow Wilson was President when the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920 giving
women the right to vote.
Wilson piloted the ship that brought America onto the world stage. He made the first
steps of leading us out of isolationism, violating Washington's tenet of avoiding
foreign entanglements.
He led America during World War I. His fervent hope was for the US to join a League
of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations.
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket.
In its elasticity lies its chief greatness."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "I believe in democracy because it releases the energies
of every human being."
The Seventeenth Amendment was formally adopted on May 31, 1913. Wilson had been
president for almost three months at the time. The amendment provided for the direct
election of senators. Prior to its adoption, Senators were chosen by state legislatures.
Wilson was the first president to receive a PhD which he got in Political Science
from Johns Hopkins University. He had received his undergraduate degree from the
College of New Jersey, renamed Princeton University in 1896.
Woodrow Wilson could not read during the first decade of his life. Though undiagnosed,
he may have suffered from a learning disability
Woodrow Wilson was known as "Tommy" until his college years.
Woodrow Wilson during his boyhood, helped establish the "Lightfoot Baseball Club"
with his friends. Wilson played second base and was an avid sport fan throughout
his adult life.
Woodrow Wilson was the first president to attend the Major League Baseball Fall
Classic. He saw the debut of a young 20 year old pitcher by the name of George Herman
"Babe" Ruth.
Woodrow Wilson was a graduate of Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University
and the only president to hold an earned doctoral degree.
Woodrow Wilson image is on the $100,000 bill although it is no longer in circulation
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