They are one of 15 student and teacher teams chosen from across the U.S. to tell the story of a fallen World War II hero at the Normandy American Cemetery.

LARGO – Largo High School social studies teacher Deborah Pettingill and student Konner Ross have been chosen for an extraordinary opportunity.

Pettingill and Ross were selected from applicants across the country for the Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student & Teacher Institute. They are among 15 student and teacher teams chosen for the institute. Pettingill is the National History Day coordinator for Largo High School. Her student, junior Konner Ross, is involved in the school’s marching band and is a former National History Day participant.

They will tell the story of a fallen World War II hero from Florida and honor the hero at the Normandy American Cemetery in France. Each team chose a hero who gave his or her life in World War II during or after the Normandy landings of D-Day and who is memorialized at the Normandy American Cemetery. Teams spent a year researching the story of their heroes through historical research using primary sources.

Pettingill and Ross will join the other teams in Washington, D.C., in June to finish their research. While in D.C., they will tour the World War II Memorial and attend a dinner hosted by the White House Historical Association. Their trip will conclude with a journey to Normandy where they will visit museums, historic sites, churches and the Normandy American Cemetery. There, Ross will present a eulogy at the grave of the hero she has spent the year researching.

Largo High | National History Day | World War II | Normandy | Konner Ross | Deborah Pettingill | TB Reporter