Re: A History Lesson Learned

Date: May 22, 2004

"POWs, wives taught Funk to stay strong
by Larry Gierer

Shaw High senior Mary Lu Funk has learned a lot from her teachers. She once wrote a letter to this newspaper defending their abilities when she felt they'd been slighted.

She's also learned plenty from prisoners of war and their wives.

"They've taught me that no matter how difficult times get," she said, "to stay strong and keep pushing for what is right. If I do, things will come out well in the end."

Funk, 18, who graduated Saturday, won a statewide National History Day contest in 2003 with a project on Vietnam POWs. This year, she entered the competition with a project on POW wives and their fight with the government to get their husbands home.

"I did a lot of research for both," she said, "but there was nothing like talking with the people. They are so brave."

Mary Lu is the daughter of Russell and Sue Funk. She'll be attending Brigham Young University in the fall. "Going that far away is exciting and scary," said the future teacher.

Her grandmother Mary Lou Flournoy passed away earlier this year. "At graduation," the teen said, "I'll be thinking about her." "