Hamilton and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) recently announced twenty competition and lottery winners from their online educational program. The Hamilton Education Program Online (#EduHamOnline) provides students in grades 6 through 12 with a free, tailored online curriculum that combines the study of the Founding Era with the performing arts. Among these winners is Justus Gaines, , who has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to see Hamilton on Broadway.
“Ever since I saw Hamilton I was hooked on the amazing songs and storytelling. After watching the play I was inspired to do some research of my own so that I could learn more about that time period,” says Gaines. “When I found out that there was an entire issue regarding a tax on whiskey and that my favorite character, Thomas Jefferson, was the one to solve it, I just knew I had to make my video about it!”
Selected by a panel of qualified judges, the winner’s creative piece “Thomas Jefferson in the Whiskey Repeal” showcases his extensive research into the Founding Era, dedication to maintaining historical integrity, and unique artistic expression. Gaines, an Oxon Hill Middle School student in Prince George’s County, is scheduled to travel to New York City this spring for a memorable theater experience.
“The rich and inclusive nature of the program, offering students the opportunity to compete or win through a lottery, is a testament to its commitment to providing access to all,” says James G. Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with Hamilton through the Hamilton Education Program Online, as we strive to foster a lifelong love of learning and a deeper understanding of our nation’s heritage.”
The program was launched in 2016 to reach 250,000 students and teachers in Title I-eligible high schools. Since then, the Hamilton Education Program has broadened its eligibility criteria and is now accessible to all public, private, parochial, and charter schools. This expansion has been made possible through collaborative efforts between the Gilder Lehrman Institute, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and The Rockefeller Foundation.
“Since the program’s inception, we’ve been dedicated to expanding access and providing students across the country with the opportunity to engage with American history in a unique and impactful way,” says Jeffrey Seller, producer of Hamilton. “We’re consistently impressed by the creativity and outstanding performances that students showcase through EduHam, and we’re honored to play a role in their educational journey.”
The program website offers extensive resources, covering 45 Founding Era figures, 14 events, 24 key documents, plus 175 supporting documents and Hamilton video clips. Students use this wealth of knowledge to compose original pieces such as a song, rap, spoken word, or scene, which they can then submit to both a national competition and a lottery.
Schools interested in participating in the Hamilton Education Program Online can visit gilderlehrman.org/eduhamonline for more information.
Here is the full list of winners of the 2024 EduHam Online Competition:
1. Family Partnership Charter School, Anchorage, Alaska — “Risen Up”
2. Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Falls Village, Conn. — “Blessed Is He”
3. Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Falls Village, Conn. — “Battle of Trenton”
4. North Oldham Middle School, Goshen, Kent. — “Our Time”
5. North Oldham Middle School, Goshen, Kent. — “Yorktown”
6. Cesar Chavez High School, Laveen, Ariz. — “War of 1812”
7. Oxon Hill Middle School, Oxon Hill, Md. — “Thomas Jefferson in the Whiskey Repeal”
8. Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, N.Y. — “What Do We Stand For?”
9. The Harker School, San Jose, Calif. — “Paul Revere’s Lies”
10. The Harker School, San Jose, Calif. — “The Truth”
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