Project connects students and businesses
George Huskisson, right, owner of Hammond Fence Co. answers questions from Hammond High junior Damien Griffin while participating in The Making of American Businesses, a Purdue University Calumet/Hammond High oral history project. (Photograph by Natalie Battaglia/The Times.)
About a dozen local business owners and managers of corporations took part Tuesday in the Purdue University Calumet-Hammond High School Oral History Project.
This year’s topic, “The Making of American Businesses,” allowed Hammond High School history students to interview the business owners and managers about what it is like to operate a company and how the current economic situation affects them.
“This allows students to connect with local business owners,” PUC education supervisor Norma Coleman said. “And most students don’t know about any business that’s not in a mall.”
Students learned from Hammond Fence Company owner George Huskisson that his business was steady despite the economic crisis thanks to repeat customers and a big demand for fences since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The students also were pleasantly surprised when they discovered how much Huskisson enjoyed his job.
“Many people tend not to like their jobs. So when you find someone who does, it’s a unique thing,” junior Joshua Tobar said.
Huskisson said it was important to participate in the project because the students who interview the business owners are the work force of tomorrow.
“If they have an impression at their age that people hate their job, it’s got to be something to tell them not every job is horrifying to get up every morning and go to work at,” he said.
Students also interviewed attorney and WJOB radio station co-owner Alexis Vazquez Dedelow.
“This project was worth it because we got to know an owner of a business in the community,” junior Brisa Moran said.
Dedelow enjoyed discussing her law career and the responsibilities of owning a radio station.
“It gives the kids a sense of being able to look forward to a career,” she said.
Ten HHS classes were involved in the project that included interviews and presentations with companies ranging from Walmart to The Hokey Spokes, a bike-safety lighting company in Gary.
This marks the sixth year of the oral history project developed by Purdue history professor LaVada Brandon, who saw it as an innovative and exciting method for teaching. Projects of various topics have also taken place at Gavit Middle School and Roosevelt and West Side high schools in Gary.
