Ayana Bankston
Class Year:
2018
Job Title:
High School Teacher, Waukegan Public Schools
Areas of Study:
History, Education
Hometown:
Waukegan, IL
What made you decide to become a History major at Lake Forest College?
I felt that it was important to be in a small setting that would allow me to engage in conversation with my peers and professors. LFC made it clear that this was not just possible, but also a norm. Having grown up in the Chicagoland area and enjoying local history, I was also appreciative of the vast resources at our disposal.
Is there a specific memory that sticks out to you from your time as a history student?
Using the campus archives was always an enjoyable experience for me. During my senior year at LFC I took a class with Professor Rudi Batzell called Police and Protest in U.S. History. We used the archives often for this course, but what stood out to me the most were the rich materials focused on Black LFC students during the Civil Rights Movement. That experience made me love just how personal the study of history can be.
What is something students considering majoring in History should know?
Your voice is needed!
Why is History relevant and important today?
I like to think of history as a way of storytelling. So often we focus on what is immediately in front of us that we fail to consider other experiences. We can learn so much about ourselves and the world when we embrace all of the stories history offers.
What are you up to now? In what ways did being a history major help you after graduation?
currently teaching US Government/Civics and African American Studies in my hometown! My time as a history major at taught me how to incorporate multiple voices and perspectives. This skill is crucial as I now work to make history relevant and engaging for my students.