LIVING THROUGH HISTORY: Last spring, Wayland High School social studies department head Kevin Delaney was purging and boxing up some 50 years of accumulated materials when he came across a circa-1975 briefcase. Inside he found an astonishing collection of primary sources describing the life and times of Lieutenant Colonel Martin W. Joyce, a subject Delaney’s students have been studying all spring.

The material includes more than 300 original documents that once belonged to Joyce — who was born in May 1899 — including his personal letters, 90-page scrapbook, police force and military files, and documents relating to his appointment as commanding officer of the Dachau concentration camp the day after its liberation in April 1945. They also recovered a photo album, still covered in the blue and gray striped cloth of a German Nazi prison uniform, which had been presented to Joyce in gratitude on behalf of the camp’s 32,000 survivors.

A grant from the Wayland Public Schools Foundation was used to hire an archivist from the New England Historic Genealogical Society to teach the students how to handle and preserve the collection, which will be shared online at www.whshistoryproject.org. Students are also writing a biography of Joyce, describing his role in the State Police during Prohibition, efforts to equip police cars with radios, a near-death experience on the Andrea Doria cruise liner, and his retirement on Cape Cod.

Joyce died in August 1962, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. One of Delaney’s students visited the gravesite over April vacation.

Delaney theorizes the briefcase belonged to former Wayland High School history teacher Bob Scotland, an Army medic during World War II who died in 1999. Regardless of why it was stored at the school, Delaney is thrilled to be its guardian until the collection is donated to a museum or research institution.

“I’m a big proponent of storytelling in history, and here we have the perfect combination of an amazing story we’re uncovering ourselves that brings to life all the themes of 20th century American history,” Delaney said. “It’s been a fun journey to peel back the layers.”

ALL THINGS FENWAY: Arlington author and lifelong Boston Red Sox fan Adam Emerson Pachter has released the third book in his “Fenway Fiction” series, which he says is the first all-fiction anthology devoted to a sports team. “Final Fenway Fiction” offers short stories, plays, excerpts from novels, poetry, and even a song among its pieces from 23 contributors nationwide.

As the father of two young daughters, Pachter is proud of the equal representation of women writers. For example, Newton author Kim Ablon Whitney wrote “Babeball,” about a female knuckleballer trying to make it to the big leagues. Brookline novelist Rachel Solomon has contributed a story to each book in the series, most recently “The Walkoff,” about a visit to the favorite Dominican restaurant of Sox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

Pachter said the community theme of this collection was suggested by an audience member during a book reading. Despite the word “final” in the title, he remains open to the possibility of continuing the series — if another inspiring theme comes his way.

“What’s special about Red Sox Nation is how much its members vary ethnically, geographically, socioeconomically, and even historically,” he said. “There’s a great amount of variety among fans, but we’re joined together by our love of the team.”

On Saturday, Pachter will read from his books at a Red Sox-themed celebration at 1 p.m. at Firefly Moon, 1305 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington. At 3 p.m., he will sign copies of his books in the Barnes & Noble at 98 Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/finalfenwayfiction.

UNSUNG HEROINE: Karyn Warila of Stow was named a 2012 Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, as recommended by state Representative Kate Hogan. Since the inception of the Hudson-based Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation’s 12,402 Steps to Cure Sarcoma Walk in 2005, Warila has been an active supporter, fund-raiser, and board member.

Warila, whose son Daniel is a sarcoma survivor, has led the donation of approximately $175,000 through Team Warila. In total, the foundation has raised nearly $800,000 for the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, helping to pay for research, clinical trials, education, and family support programs.

“One of the best things about the annual walk is that it shows sarcoma survivors how important they are,” said Warila, whose original 20-member team had grown to 118 walkers last month. “It is very humbling to see how many people give their time to support your child and others struggling with sarcoma.”

LEGACY AWARDS: WCVB anchor Susan Wornick of Needham and Concord resident Rick Loughlin, president emeritus of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage New England, will be honored with Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps Embracing the Legacy awards on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Embracing the Legacy awards are presented annually to activists working to eliminate injustice affecting children. Wornick, a consumer reporter and member of her television station’s investigative unit, is known for her support of Boston’s at-risk youth, cancer patients, and the homeless. Loughlin is a member of the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares advisory committee. The company’s fund-raising arm has contributed more than $3 million to 250 New England-based nonprofits.

Additional award recipients are William Bell, president and CEO of Seattle-based Casey Family Programs; and Express Yourself, a nonprofit organization in Beverly that immerses youngsters in music, dance, and visual arts.

The benefit event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and program. For ticket information, call Lisa Sikora at 617-227-4183, ext. 122, or visit www.rfkchildren.org.

ENCORE PRESENTATION: Carol Greenfield of Newton was recently honored with the 2012 Louis Lowy Distinguished Service Award in Gerontology by the Massachusetts Gerontology Association. Greenfield, founder of Newton-based Discovering What’s Next, was recognized for her longstanding leadership in empowering aging adults.

Greenfield was previously a consultant to the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the New England Employee Benefits Council‘s executive director.

JAZZ STARS: Medfield High School senior Kabir Thatte was named Outstanding Vibraphone Soloist at the 17th annual Essentially Ellington high school jazz band competition and festival, which took place last month at the Lincoln Center in New York City. Sophomore Alex Rosenfeld received an honorable mention for trumpet.

The Medfield High School Jazz Band was one of 15 finalists that were selected from school ensembles across the country for the Essentially Ellington competition. Top honors this year went to the Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

As a finalist, Medfield receives a $500 award toward its jazz programs.