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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or at (540) 885-0897, ext. 110.