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ird-Grade Reusable Tote Bags What You May Have Missed Digital Humanities and the Frick's Digital Collection is year, Sarah F. '22 took 10th-grade U.S. History with Dr. Rosenblatt. Sarah writes, "A project in collaboration with the Frick Digital Collection required that we select a piece of art—among paintings, cartoons, and photographs from the Gilded Age—a period we had studied. We were to treat our selected piece as historical evidence and analyze it as such. is project introduced me to digital humanities in that it provided access to an extensive search engine that allowed me to research history through images that evoke a level of significance that, to some degree, written work from that time cannot match. I became more knowledgeable about a time period that would otherwise have seemed distant. I felt fortunate to have access to a world-renowned art collection, as it gave me an opportunity to see coveted work that provides a unique lens into that time period. "For this project, I chose an oil painting by artist James Carroll Beckwith of Mark Twain, the iconic American intellectual who coined the phrase 'Gilded Age.' Twain used this phrase to expose the corruption that underpinned what appeared to be a period of great prosperity in America. In this portrait, it is clear that Twain is an affluent man, as made evident by his cream-colored jacket and white tie. By the time of its painting in 1890, Twain was an author of prominence and standing in American society. If you take a close look at this portrait, you may also notice an authenticity that might otherwise be overlooked. e earthy brick-red color of the background (which perfectly matches his mustache) contrasts with the elegance of his clothing, as does the pipe dangling from his mouth—presenting Twain as an 'everyman.' I really enjoyed this project, as it gave me a greater appreciation for a man who, while incredibly brilliant, was also extremely accessible to the broader population who admired him." roughout 3rd grade, Trevor aims to create environmentally conscious students who not only want to change the world, but who begin to understand how to undertake this vital endeavor. By raising membership numbers and funds for Riverkeeper (a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the Hudson River, as well as the watersheds that provide New York City with its drinking water)—while also learning about scientists and activists such as Rachel Carson and Pete Seeger—3rd graders were inspired to take real action. Last Februrary, 3rd graders learned that a ban on plastic bags would go into effect in New York City on March 1st, and that Riverkeeper had played a major role in bringing this important legislation to fruition. Classes were over the moon when they heard about this important law and wanted to celebrate it by setting a good example. Students decided to decorate cloth bags for the Trevor community's use. ey chose to repurpose bags from a prior Trevor event—enabling all three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). Students further transformed them with art and slogans championing the environment. Positive change is rarely a straight line. Much to the students' disappointment, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary halt to the use of reusable bags throughout the country. e students look forward to a time when we can start using reusable bags again in full force. Undeterred by the pause in bag usage, teachers took our fledgling activists to the next level by exploring persuasive writing and how the power of the pen has long been used by songwriters, orators, and authors to precipitate much needed change to the world. 0 8 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0