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5 Questions: Future Dickinson College student shares veterans' stories

The Sentinel - 8/7/2018

Aug. 06--A member of Dickinson College's Class of 2022 has already been at work in Carlisle, telling the stories of the nation's veterans.

Samantha Morrison-Wynn, a 2018 graduate of Milton Hershey School, is completing an internship at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center this summer and will attend Dickinson College this fall to study political science.

After growing up in foster care, Samantha Morrison-Wynn enrolled at Milton Hershey School in sixth grade. She took specialized classes in the school's Law, Public Safety and Security career pathway and graduated with a semester of college credits.

Q. How did you land the internship at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center?

A. I landed my internship at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center through a chain of connections. As a student at Milton Hershey School, I grew close to many different people, including some of my teachers. A former teacher of mine and her family had a mutual connection with AHEC. Knowing my passion for advocacy and my love of history, my teacher helped me get in touch with the director of the education department at AHEC.

Q. What were some of the highlights of your work there this summer?

The summer has been filled with great reads and powerful memoirs. I'd have to say that the overall highlight is learning various individual stories and understanding the sacrifices those people made. I've had the opportunity to research and write about a few different veterans. Their stories involve a wide range of circumstances, from what war they fought in to their ethnicity, religion and skin color. No matter what, those veterans all gave so much for our country. Being able to learn about them has been a highlight.

Q. Why is it important to tell the story of veterans?

A. Every single person who has entered into the service has sacrificed comfort and family and has put their life on the line. They have seen so many different things and most of the time, those things stick in their minds. Anyone who has ever sacrificed that much to serve our country deserves to be heard, but sometimes they don't have the means, the time or the opportunity to speak for themselves. It's important that researchers, historians and volunteers do their part to tell the stories of those who have given so much for us and our country.

Q. What does it mean to you to be able to help veterans share their story?

A. I was a foster kid as a young child, and I didn't have the means to speak out for myself. Throughout my journey I've had many different people, including my wonderful parents now, advocate for me. They shared my story so I could have the ending I deserved. Honestly, that's why I find it so important to share the stories of as many veterans as possible. They've given so much and experienced so much, and they deserve endless amounts of support and advocacy. It's our duty as humans to help those in need. The country needs to understand what these veterans have experienced. Just being able to help in that process means a great deal to me.

Q. What are your plans at Dickinson College and beyond?

A. I plan to major in political science or international relations at Dickinson College. While I'm going into my freshman year with those majors in mind, I also know it's possible that those plans may change before I graduate. Although I am not 100 percent sure of what I want to do after college, I do know I want to help others and continue to be a voice for those who need to be heard. I hope to join the Peace Corps after college, and then go into politics or some type of government work.

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