The Mauch Chunk Historical Society (MCHS) and the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center joined together in an effort to help raise an interest in history not only among school students but in the public in general.

The product of their cooperation was a History Scholarship for which students were asked to write an essay on a couple of different topics.The scholarship was presented to the winning essayist at the JTAHS History Department with representatives of the MCHS, the Museum, and History Club in attendance.Bill Allison, a member of MCHS and the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center noted that "this is the first year that the Historical Society and Museum have offered this scholarship."Jordan Behrens, student at Lehigh Carbon Community College and a JTAHS Alumna wrote this year's winning essay.Jordan chose to write her essay on the contributions of Mary Packer Cummings to Mauch Chunk/Jim Thorpe.Her essay was published in the "Gazette", the Mauch Chunk Historical Society's newsletter.Allison added "we want to work with the high school and reach out to the community and enhance the study of and importance of history.""We represent local history and how local history and world history blend together, especially the Industrial Revolution.""We also want to support our History Department here at the high school by working together with them.""The MCHS and the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center have combined to raise the money to support the scholarships."Another topic for this year's essay contest will be announced shortly.