Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) highlighted an educational journey linked to the New York Times best-selling book and now movie "The Boys in the Boat," a story of teamwork at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
This connection, initiated by then-history teacher and current Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert in 2006, has brought a local relevance and special understanding to this award-winning American story, according to a news release from WCS.
“The Boys in the Boat” is a story of Olympian Joe Rantz. The book and its movie adaptation have inspired thousands globally, telling a story set during the Great Depression. It highlights themes of overcoming challenges, the importance of teamwork and achieving success at a crucial time, the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Rantz’s story might have been lost to history if it were not for a series of events that included history students from Warsaw Community High School in 2006, according to the release. Hoffert was a history teacher that loved to connect students with living history. That included interviewing hundreds of local and national WWII veterans involved in areas such as Pearl Harbor and aboard the USS Indianapolis.
Hoffert said, “During a history unit of the Great Depression days preceding World War II, a student asked if there was anyone still alive from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. An internet search was completed and a little known story of a gentleman in Washington State was discovered. Joe Rantz was a member of the University of Washington and 1936 Olympic Gold medal eight-man crew rowing team. Quickly a letter was developed from the class with some specific questions and sent across the country. A few weeks later, a nine-page letter was received back from Joe and his daughter, Mrs. Judy Willman. It detailed his experience, thoughts and history from 70 years earlier. The students and I felt honored to learn from his experiences.”
Years later, in 2013, Hoffert received an email from Willman, indicating that the 2006 letter from WCHS students was a pivotal moment in preserving her father Rantz's memories. This correspondence led to the gathering of stories which, before Rantz’s passing in 2007, were instrumental and a catalyst in shaping "The Boys in the Boat." Willman and author Dan Brown collaborated over six years to create the book, which has now sold more than four million copies.
As the book and later the movie progressed, periodic updates were shared via email. Judy shared, “I consider your initial request to Dad to have been one of the critical springboards which forced me to collect my thoughts and all the history that I had been gathering from Dad and put them into a cohesive form.”
Hoffert said, “It's evident that the credit for this story goes to Joe Rantz, who lived this incredible life along with the relentless efforts of Judy, and Dan Brown, the author to record this legacy. I am grateful that the curiosity of our high school students in Indiana ignited the preservation of this exceptional tale of teamwork and American spirit. Our students and the Warsaw community share a unique bond with this story and in many ways reflect the values and spirit Joe Rantz exemplified.”
This week, Willman, daughter of Rantz from "The Boys in the Boat," was interviewed by Hoffert, WCHS junior Reed Nelson and Krista Polston, director of communications. Nelson is getting ready to start an independent study focused on collecting oral histories.
He shared his thoughts on the interview: "It's beyond words. Seeing people connect with the past and keeping those stories alive gives me goosebumps. I love learning about things I never knew and being part of that discovery.”
As Willman shared in her interview, “This story has come full circle” back to students in Warsaw Community Schools, stated the release. Willman and her husband Ray's plan to visit WCS in the fall will be part of the WCS speaker series and lead a number of special workshops and activities within WCS. Judy will highlight her father's Olympic story, the impact of Warsaw students in her father’s story along with the process of historical research and writing.
In anticipation of Judy and Ray Willman’s visit in September, both Edgewood and Lakeview Middle Schools are planning a schoolwide read of "The Boys in the Boat" for this spring. They will also be participating in building-wide activities designed to immerse students in the themes of the book, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the historical context.