By Sondra Barr
For Michael Swerlyk, an 18-year-old senior at Notre Dame Preparatory High School (NDP), enrolling in the elective course Imprints of Honor was about stepping out of his comfort zone. “I wasn’t very familiar with the military or veterans’ experiences,” Michael says. “This class gave me the chance to learn firsthand by interviewing them, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Michael is one of 11 students who participated in the class, which is the first Imprints of Honor program offered as a high school elective in Arizona. Under the guidance of teacher David Lamb, the students conducted interviews with 24 veterans, documenting their experiences for the 2025 edition of “Since You Asked,” a book that will be published in April.
Founded 20 years ago by Arizona history teacher Barbara Hatch, Imprints of Honor is a Phoenix-based nonprofit that connects students with veterans to preserve their stories and honor their service. Most of its programs are after-school clubs, but NDP’s innovative approach as a credited course allows students to dive deeper into military history and storytelling.
Sophomore Anna Pelock, who completed interviews with veterans David Courtney and Dave Long, reflects on how the class has impacted her. “Both my great-grandfathers and one of my grandfathers are veterans, so I’ve always felt a connection to their stories,” Anna shares. “This hasn’t been just a class to me. It has taught me more about the real-world and the experiences and hardships every veteran went through during their time serving.”
The semester began with lessons on U.S. military history and a deeper look at the branches of service. Each student was assigned topics to research and present, such as World War II or the Vietnam War. “It gave us a foundation to understand the veterans’ stories and the eras they served in,” Michael explains.
The students then conducted recorded interviews, transcribed the conversations, and wrote detailed narratives. Anna recalls how one veteran, Rodger Sandeen, shared a life-changing moment when he received a simple note of gratitude on his car. Inspired, Anna spearheaded a letter-writing campaign called Nothing but Love Notes, which earned her the “Saint of the Month” award at Notre Dame Prep.
For Michael, hearing the starkly different experiences of his cousin, who served in Afghanistan, and a family friend who served in Vietnam was eye-opening. “It made me realize how much veterans sacrifice, regardless of when or where they serve,” he says.
The students’ work will culminate in a special reception in April, where veterans will receive copies of “Since You Asked.” As Anna puts it, “This wasn’t just a class—it changed me as a person.”
