Wylie ISD Student Journalists Get Exclusive Press Access Ahead of America 250 Exhibit Opening

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, high school student journalists from Wylie High School and Wylie East High School were given a unique opportunity to cover America’s history.

Student journalists from each high school’s advanced newspaper class were invited to a special press conference at the Historic Brown House Museum ahead of the debut of “The American Experiment: A Celebration of America 250.” The exclusive event allowed students to experience the exhibit firsthand, interview museum volunteers, and report on the significance of America’s milestone anniversary from a journalist’s perspective.

“The Brown House field trip was enlightening and very enjoyable!” Wylie East student journalist Addison Evans said. “It was great to see the house and learn so much about the history of it. The tour guides and staff were all very welcoming, and I learned so much about the history of Wylie and America as a whole.”

The exhibit, in honor of the semiquincentennial, invites the community to journey into the heart of America’s past, exploring the events that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the call for liberty that forged a nation. Through tours and immersive storytelling, visitors learn how those founding ideals continue to shape the country 250 years later.

“It was so interesting to get to take a closer look at the exhibit,” Wylie East junior Chloe Callan said. “We just learned about these events in my history class, but it's much more intriguing seeing it in real life rather than on a screen.”

The day before the exhibit opened to the public, student journalists were given full access to the Brown House as it was staged to reflect life in the 1700s. Students participated in a private tour and a press-style discussion with Brown House volunteers.

“Experiencing the exhibit from a journalist’s perspective and getting a behind-the-scenes look was incredibly valuable,” Wylie East junior Jewel Jackson said. “It helped me better understand how local history is shared with the community through storytelling and preservation.”

For students, the press conference provided an authentic reporting experience, offering opportunities to ask questions, gather quotes, and document the exhibit through photos and notes.

“As a student journalist, local opportunities like this are extremely beneficial because I get to stay in Wylie and learn about the past that was experienced here,” Evans said. “I'm very thankful for this opportunity for enlightenment and information, and it was a perfect event to lean into my storytelling skills and learn more about the town I live in.”

Dressed in period clothing from head to toe, Brown House tour guide Christopher Raso portrayed General George Washington. Speaking through Washington’s perspective, Raso shared stories from the Revolutionary War and discussed the exhibit’s historical context with the students. Raso, who taught American history for 28 years before becoming a Brown House tour guide, emphasized the importance of remembering the nation’s origins.

“If we don’t have an appreciation for where we came from, we’re not going to appreciate where we’re going,” Raso said. “Two hundred fifty years later, we’re still trying to live up to the Declaration of Independence.”

The exhibit has been in planning for 10 months and required extensive coordination, including research, props, official documents, costumes, and public outreach.

“I think if General Washington could have you know one thing,” Raso said, “it would be to ‘Remember us—remember the good we did.’”

Wylie High senior Ryley Collins said the experience brought classroom journalism lessons to life.

“As a journalist, having such an engaging conversation with the knowledgeable staff was wonderful,” Collins said. “I also had a great time shooting photos in such a historic place.”

The exhibit was curated by Tracy Lawson, who brings a background in theater and education to the Brown House. Lawson planned the exhibit and created all of the period costumes worn by mannequins, volunteers, and tour guides. Additional support comes from volunteers like tour guide Kari Isom, who assists with construction and technical needs throughout the exhibit.

The students were accompanied by their advisers, Kim Creel of Wylie East and Aaron Smith of Wylie High, who guided them through the press experience.

“The American Experiment: A Celebration of America 250” is free to the public and open Tuesday through Saturday from Jan. 13 through Sept. 26, 2026, at the Historic Brown House Museum.

For more information, visit the City of Wylie's Brown House website.