PRAIRIE CITY – U.S. Rep. Greg Walden was on hand at Prairie City School when Andrew Demko, history teacher, received the Daughters of the American Revolution 2007-08 Oregon History Teacher of the Year local award.

Roberta Morin, historian and representative of the Lone Pine Tree Chapter of DAR, presented the award at the school. She said Demko earned the award for his creative and innovative ways of teaching that makes history come alive for his students.

The Camp Logan Days living history adventure each year is one way his students get to participate in a re-enactment of local history. Morin also said that if we do not learn from history, we end up repeating it.

“Andy is my kind of history teacher,” Morin said.

The Lone Pine Tree Chapter of DAR located in Baker City and La Grande has forwarded Demko’s nomination to the Oregon State Society of DAR as their candidate for State Oregon History Teacher of the Year. This winner will be selected and presented a state award at the organization’s conference in Wilsonville May 17.