Photo by Agata Schoenborn

Girl Power | Mayo Rives

Mayo’s research on Thomas Walker (1715-1794), her 6th great-grandfather, earned the Virginia Historical Society’s Bobby Chandler History Award. “His epithet reads Physician, Indian Commissioner, member of the House of Burgesses, and Quarter-Master General of the Colonial forces. He also laid out the city of Charlottesville.” By coincidence, her seventh great-grandfather, William Mayo, surveyed the city of Richmond in 1733 (proving that history has a sense of humor). The MonticelloHigh School sophomore, 16, lives near Charlottesville but “feels connected to Richmond and its history.” Her award recognizes research skill using primary sources. Says Mayo, “There are still some things you just can’t Google.” 

“It’s cool to relate history to your own ancestors. When I look around Richmond and Charlottesville, I know I’m part of what my great grandfathers created.”