Even though Covid-19 social distancing restrictions and closure of town buildings deleted our Ice Cream Social this July, there IS, however, a Muzzy Davenport Award winner: Marko Svoren, son of Jan and Elana Svoren of Chittenden.
For his eighth-grade history project, Marko chose to write a paper about Chittenden resident Merald Paul Clark, known as Kip to his friends and family, who spent time as a POW in World War II. Following an interview at the Chittenden Historical Society in March with Kip’s son Leland Clark (which was taped by Steve Welch), Marko wrote a 2,469-word paper using facts from the interview plus further research.
Marko’s paper, “ ‘Kip’ Clark: Vermont Local and American POW,” was submitted to the 2020 Virtual Vermont History competition. sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society. Marko was the Junior Division Winner! Moreover, he placed second overall in the competition, qualifying him for the National History Day competition! Congratulations to Marko, his parents, his teacher James Gallagher, and Barstow School!
At some point in the future, the Chittenden Historical Society hopes to host Marko for a presentation of his paper before the Society. The Society does have a copy of his beautiful, insightful, well-written and documented paper, plus a video of the interview with Leland Clark, son of “Kip.”