People Who Shaped America

Req 2 — American Leaders & Change-Makers

Do TWO of the following:

Choose TWO of the four options below. Each one explores a different way that people and organizations have shaped America’s heritage. Read through all four options to decide which two interest you most.

Option A: Political Leader & Private Citizen

2a.

Select two individuals from American history, one a political leader (a president, senator, etc.) and the other a private citizen (a writer, religious leader, etc.). Find out about each person’s accomplishments and compare the contributions each has made to America’s heritage.

This option asks you to explore how different kinds of people shape a country. Political leaders pass laws and lead armies — but writers, activists, and religious leaders change the way people think.

Choosing Your Two People

Pick people who genuinely interest you. Here are some starting points, but you are free to choose anyone:

Political leaders — presidents, senators, Supreme Court justices, governors, members of Congress

Private citizens — writers, inventors, religious leaders, artists, scientists, activists, educators

How to Compare

Once you have researched both people, think about these questions:

What problems did each person face?
How did each person use their position (leader vs. citizen) to make change?
Could the private citizen have accomplished the same thing as a political leader — or vice versa?
Whose contribution has lasted longer? Why?

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Search for biographical information on any member of Congress, past or present.

Option B: An Organization That Changed America

2b.

With your counselor’s approval, choose an organization that has promoted some type of positive change in American society. Find out why the organization believed this change was necessary and how it helped to accomplish the change. Discuss how this organization is related to events or situations from America’s past.

Many of the biggest changes in American history were driven not by a single person but by organized groups of people working together toward a shared goal.

What Counts as an Organization?

Any group that worked to make a positive change in American society qualifies. Here are some categories to consider:

Civil rights organizations — groups that fought for equal rights
Conservation organizations — groups that protected land, water, and wildlife
Service organizations — groups like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity
Labor organizations — unions that fought for fair wages and safe working conditions
Civic organizations — groups that promoted education, voting, or community improvement

Research Framework

When studying your chosen organization, find out:

When and why was it founded? What problem was it trying to solve?
What actions did it take? (campaigns, lawsuits, lobbying, direct service)
What changed because of its work?
How does it connect to larger themes in American history?

Library of Congress — Primary Sources by Topic Explore primary source documents organized by historical topic — great for researching organizations and movements.

Option C: Interview Two Veterans

2c.

With your counselor’s approval, interview two veterans of the U.S. military. Find out what their experiences were like. Ask the veterans what they believe they accomplished.

Veterans carry firsthand knowledge of American history that you will not find in any book. Their stories connect national events to personal experience.

Finding Veterans to Interview

Members of your family or your troop
Local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Legion posts
Community organizations or houses of worship
Veterans’ service organizations

Interview Tips

Interview Preparation

Steps to prepare for a great interview

Contact the veteran in advance: Explain who you are, why you want to interview them, and how long it will take.
Prepare questions ahead of time: Write down 8–10 open-ended questions.
Bring a notebook and pen: Take notes during the interview (ask permission first if you want to record).
Listen more than you talk: Let the veteran tell their story in their own way.
Say thank you: A handwritten thank-you note goes a long way.

Good questions to ask:

What branch did you serve in, and when?
What was your role or job?
What was the most meaningful experience you had during your service?
What do you believe your service accomplished?
What do you wish more people understood about military service?

Option D: Interview Three Community Members

2d.

With your counselor’s approval, interview three people in your community of different ages and occupations. Ask these people what America means to them, what they think is special about this country, and what American traditions they feel are important to preserve.

This option helps you discover that American heritage is not just one story — it is millions of stories. Different people experience America differently depending on their age, background, and life experiences.

Choosing Your Three People

Pick people of different ages and occupations — that is the key. The more diverse your interviewees, the richer your results.

Examples:

A teenager and a senior citizen
A teacher and a business owner
A recent immigrant and someone whose family has been here for generations

What to Ask

The requirement gives you three main questions, but you can add your own:

What does America mean to you?
What do you think is special about this country?
What American traditions do you feel are important to preserve?

A Scout sitting across from a veteran in a living room, holding a notebook and listening attentively during an interview

You have explored how leaders, citizens, organizations, and veterans have shaped America. Now let’s look at how the past connects to the present.