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 all 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 and though he is retired from active teaching, he has no plans to stop leading and promoting the trip in the years to come! His dedication and passion to serving generations of students truly exemplifies what it means to be an advocate for civic engagement!

Dave Michaelson has created 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 are new to the program. Dave is a prime 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 over 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. His love for teaching and civic involvement is unequaled. Jon truly embodies the Foundation’s mission!

Through Close Up’s Program for New Americans and the creation of Rally to Tally Programs, Rosy Ugalde has impacted thousands of middle and high school students and educators throughout the state of Florida. Her advocacy, passion, and dedication to serving immigrant students not only makes her a champion for civic education, but a real visionary. She is an inspiration to the Foundation and truly exemplifies our mission to reach and empower all young people within our democracy.

For nearly 30 years, Sally Farr has committed herself to providing Katy ISD students the opportunity to experience Close Up. As a teacher and district coordinator, Sally helped impact over 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. Sally’s 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 the program at other Boston area schools. Ty truly embodies 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 the Close Up Foundation to encourage thousands of young men from Belen Jesuit Preparatory to become active and engaged citizens. No teacher in the history of Close Up has partnered longer or with greater distinction than Pat. His commitment, passion, and dedication to civic education is unparalleled and truly inspirational.