2020 Inductees
To Be Determined
The Great American Hall of Fame
History: The Great American Hall of Fame was created in 1999 by Chaparral HS AP US History teacher Darren Thomas. Mr. Thomas was from Idaho and conceived of the idea of creating potato head figures of famous Americans after receiving numerous Mr. Potatoheads as an end of year gift from students when he was a teacher at Etiwanda HS. In order to be posthumously inducted, an individual had to have had a significant impact on American history. Since 1999, over 50 historic Americans have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Individuals like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Alexander Hamilton have been inducted. Sadly, Mr. Thomas passed away in June, 2013. At that time, his AP students inducted him into the Hall of Fame as well. Many of the original potato heads were auctioned off to fund a scholarship in his memory. Since then, a Legacy program has been created to recreate potato heads of those individuals. This year, 2 more new members and 1 "Almost Americans (Lived and Died Before 1776)" will be inducted. In addition, 1 legacy will be re-inducted. The criteria for selection includes being a historical figure who made a significant contribution to the political, social, economic or cultural history of the United States and has been deceased for at least 10 years.
The Tradition Expands: An article on Mr. Thomas & the Hall of Fame was published in a local newspaper. That inspired a teacher at Temescal Canyon HS (Mrs. Nelson) to carrying on his legacy by inducting APUSH potato heads starting in 2012. A post of photos on an APUSH teacher Facebook group helped it expand to other schools. These include:
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Mr. Darren Thomas - Inducted 2013
Hall of ShameIn addition, several individuals have been immortalized as potato heads for their shameful actions. These include:
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Banquet Committees
- Organization - Plan and coordinate the event. Students who sign up for this role must be detail oriented and strong leaders. One or two students on this committee will also be the emcees for the night.
- Potato Heads - Create the new potato heads for the ceremony. Students who sign up for this role must be creative and have art/craft skills.
- Induction Speeches - Write and perform speeches for the new inductees at the ceremony. Students who sign up for this role must be talented writers and be comfortable delivering speeches before an audience.
- Communications - Make invitations and ensure former APUSH seniors are invited. Students who sign up for this role must be creative and comfortable with technology.
- Slide Show - Students will create Google Presentations with pictures and quotes related to the current members and new inductees.
- We will need students to decorate for the banquet and then we will also need people to stay and clean up fro 7:00-7:30.
- Students not assigned to a committee will have a final project to complete in class.
2019 Inductees
The 2019 induction ceremony will occur in May 30, 2019 from 5:30-7:00 in the CCC.
Hall of Fame Members
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* Denotes eligibility for Legacy Award and AA denotes Almost American inductee.