Newark, MD, October 31, 2024 - This week, current Worcester County Board of Education member Jon Andes donated copies of his children's book, "The Legacy of Billy Lee: An American Hero" to elementary and middle schools across the county.
The story follows the life and times of unsung national hero William "Billy" Lee, an enslaved 16-year-old who became the unlikely witness to the birth of the United States of America as he served as George Washington's his valet, groom, and military aide.
Andes was inspired to research and ultimately write Lee's story after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he viewed artist John Trumbull's 1780 painting entitled, "George Washington and William Lee (George Washington)." The painting depicts Washington standing on a bluff above the Hudson River with Lee in the background.
After Andes began the writing process, he partnered with Olivia Momme, local artist and director of the Worcester County Education Foundation, who illustrated the story.
Andes and Momme autographed each copy donated to the school system, which will be available for students to check out in the school libraries of all Worcester County elementary and middle schools.
