Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. — CHITTENDEN — The Chittenden Historical Society will present a taped interview with Leland Clark by Marko Svoren about Lee’s father Kip Clark and his experiences as a prisoner of war (POW) in Germany during World War II at the Chittenden Grange Hall at 3 Lower Middle Road in North Chittenden.
Marko Svoren was the Society’s Muzzy Davenport Award winner in 2020, but Covid restrictions prevented presentation of the program. For his eighth-grade history project at Barstow Memorial School, Marko, son of Jan and Elana Svoren of Chittenden, 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 his interview at the Chittenden Historical Society in March with Kip’s son Leland Clark which was taped by then Society president Steve Welch, Marko Svoren wrote a 2,217-word paper using facts from the interview plus further research.
Marko Svoren was encouraged by teacher Jamie Gallagher to submit his paper, “ ‘Kip’ Clark: Vermont Local and American POW,” to the 2020 Virtual Vermont History competition. Marko Svoren was the junior division winner. Moreover, he placed second overall in the contest, qualifying him to present his paper at the virtual National History Day event in Washington, D.C. June 12-18.
The program is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
