The Lincoln School Project will welcome Stephane Manuel, author, educator, creator and owner of True Fiktion, to historic Lincoln School for two special programs on Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21, 2026.
Manuel and True Fiktion have already played an important role in helping the Lincoln School Project introduce its history to a new generation. True Fiktion created Mary Anne’s First Class: The Lincoln School, a comic book based on the history and story of Lincoln School, which was officially launched in April 2026.
Copies of the Lincoln School comic book will be available for purchase for $5 during the Thursday eveningprogram, and Manuel will be available to sign copies.
The first event, an Author Talk & Discussion, will take place Thursday, August 20, from 5:30–7:00p.m.Manuel will discuss the development of the Lincoln School Project comic book, the process of translating history into visual storytelling, and other impactful projects True Fiktion has created for schools, museums and organizations across the nation.
Manuel brings an unusual combination of military leadership, business education and creative storytelling to his work. A former U.S. Army officer and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Manuel also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Through True Fiktion, he has focused on using comics and visual storytelling to educate, inspire and connect audiences with history.
The Thursday evening program is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.
On Friday, August 21, from 9:00–11:00 a.m., Manuel will lead an Educator Workshop for teachers, curriculum developers, administrators and others interested in innovative approaches to teaching history.
The hands-on workshop will explore how comics can be incorporated into the classroom to engage students, interpret historical subjects and build meaningful curriculum. Participants will also gain insight into the techniques Manuel and True Fiktion use to transform historical research and complex subjects into accessible visual narratives.
“Stephane and True Fiktion helped us take the story of Lincoln School beyond the walls of this historic building and place it into the hands of young people,” said Crockett Oaks, Executive Director and Founder of the Lincoln School Project. “This visit gives our community an opportunity to meet the person behind that work, while also giving educators practical ideas for using creative storytelling to make history come alive. That is very much in keeping with what Lincoln School has represented for 100 years—the power of education to open minds and create possibilities.”
The two-day program is part of the Lincoln School Project’s continuing Centennial Celebration, recognizing 100 years since the historic one-room school opened in 1926.
The Educator Workshop is free, but RSVPs are encouraged. To RSVP, email LincolnSchool65775@gmail.com
or Facebook Direct Message organizers at Lincoln School Project. Both programs will be held at Lincoln School, 1400 Pony Thomas Street, West Plains, Missouri.
Thursday, August 20 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Author Talk & Discussion • Comic Book Sales & Signing • Light Refreshments
Friday, August 21 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Educator Workshop • RSVP Encouraged
