Minturn Scholars to gather

For the first time in 34 years, Howard School’s Minturn Scholars will reunite as Madera Unified celebrates their uncommon achievement as 6th graders. They will meet in the Madera South High School Media Center at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

In 1984-85, the 12 year olds discovered the graves of the forgotten Minturn family on the banks of the Chowchilla River. The young sleuths researched the Minturns, taking them as far back as 17th century Rhode Island and connected them with living descendants. The kids then wrote a book and entitled it “The Minturn Chronicles.”

Their project drew national attention as well as that of renowned author Irving Stone, who came to Madera to visit the young authors. Stone said he was “amazed” at the students’ work and gave it a name, “The Madera Method.”

The reunion will also be the occasion for unveiling the Madera Method Archive and Special Collections at MSHS.