Close Up Hall of Fame

Jim Currin truly embodies Close Up’s mission to inform, inspire, and empower the students of his community. For over 40 years, Jim has helped not only the students of Triton High School but students across North Carolina make the trip to Washington, DC, to experience Close Up. His tireless hours of promoting Close Up have impacted nearly 1,000 students. Though he is retired from active teaching, Jim has no plans to stop leading and promoting the trip for years to come. His dedication to and passion for serving generations of students exemplifies what it means to be an advocate for civic engagement. 

Dave Michaelson has made a lasting impact on his community by leading the Close Up program at Dickinson High School in North Dakota for over 30 years. Hundreds of students and adults from the Dickinson community have Dave to thank for their Close Up experience. He is a strong advocate for Close Up and has given his free time to mentor many teachers who have been new to the program. Dave is a shining example of what it means to be a Close Up teacher and a leader in civic education. 

For 30 years, Jon Gloer has sponsored the Close Up program at four different high schools in Fayette County, Georgia. His efforts have changed the lives of more than 1,100 students and earned him the nickname “Mr. Georgia Close Up.” Jon’s support of and passion for Close Up is contagious, and he has helped dozens of schools discover and implement their own program. Jon truly embodies Close Up’s mission, with a love for teaching and civic involvement that is unequaled. 

Rosy Ugalde has impacted thousands of students and educators across the state of Florida through Close Up’s Program for New Americans and the creation of the Rally to Tally Program. Rosy’s advocacy, passion, and dedication to serving immigrant students make her a champion of civic education and a real visionary for us all. She is an inspiration to Close Up and exemplifies our mission to reach and empower all young people in our democracy. 

For nearly 30 years, Sally Farr has committed herself to providing students in the Katy Independent School District of Texas the opportunity to experience Close Up. As a teacher and district coordinator, Sally has impacted more than 2,500 students and teachers through Close Up. Close Up’s first custom program—Founding of a Nation—came as a result of Sally’s vision and leadership. Her continued dedication to observing and evaluating both teacher and student programs has been instrumental in helping Close Up constantly improve and innovate our programming. 

A true champion of the Close Up mission for over 30 years, Ty Vignone established one of the first Close Up classes in the country, made the Washington program a rite of passage for Newton High School students, and inspired implementation of the program at other Boston area schools. Ty is the essence of the Close Up mission to inform, inspire, and empower young people to be active participants in the political process. 

For 45 consecutive years, Patrick Collins has partnered with Close Up to encourage thousands of young men from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Florida to become active, engaged citizens. No teacher in the history of Close Up has partnered with the Foundation for longer or with greater distinction. Pat’s commitment and dedication to civic education is unparalleled and truly inspirational.