2006 National History Day
June 10 - 15, 2006 Washington, D.C. - Research into topics ranging from The James Younger Gang to The Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study helped two Minnesota entries at the National History Day competition to be recognized as national champions in their categories. In all, eleven entries from Minnesota won national honors during the week-long competition at the University of Maryland. The 53 Minnesota students joined 2,000 other students from across the nation as they presented their research papers, exhibits, documentaries and dramatic performances.
The students, representing grades 6-12, researched and presented their topics based on the 2006 History Day theme, "Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, events. " The top three national finishers in each category receive monetary awards. First place receives $1,000, second place receives $500 and third place receives $250. National History Day also recognizes one outstanding state entry in each division, junior and senior, with a medal.
Congratulations to all the Minnesota entries participating at National History Day!
First and Second Place finishers include:
Grant Bemis and Eric Chien, from Breck School in Minneapolis, took first place in the Junior Group Exhibit category with their entry, "The Citizens of Northfield, Minnesota Take a Stand Against the James Young Gang."
Sophia Naylor, from Southwest High School in Minneapolis, earned second place for her Senior Individual Documentary, "The Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study: Taking a Stand for Nonviolence and Hunger Relief."
Other top winners were:
Sarah Parker of Southwest High School in Minneapolis, received 4th place for Senior Paper, "Voice of the Voiceless: Archbishop Oscar Romero's Stand for the Liberation of the Salvadoran People." Sarah also received the Outstanding State Entry Award in the senior division.
Perihan MacDonald of Capitol Hill Magnet School in St. Paul, received 4th place for her Junior Individual Exhibit, "Ataturk: Taking a Stand for a Modern Turkish Nation." Perihan also received the Outstanding State Entry Award in the junior division.
Abby Anderson and Haley Akermark of Sunrise Park Middle School in White Bear Lake, received 4th place for their Junior Group Performance, "Lewis Hine."
Jennifer Walker of South High School in Minneapolis, received 7th place for her Senior Individual Exhibit, "Nonviolent Revolution: James Lawson and his Nashville Students Take a Stand for Civil Rights."
Ellen Rice of Central High School in St. Paul, received 10th place for her Senior People "From Abolition to Genocide: The Controversial Stands of Jane Grey Swisshelm."
Desmond Richardson of Southwest High School in Minneapolis, received 11th place for his Senior Individual performance, "Near vs. Minnesota: The Bedrock Case in the Stand for Freedom of the Press."
Kristina Tester of Breck School in Minneapolis, received 12th place for her Junior Individual Performance, "The Woman Who Plants Peace: Wangari Muta Maathai takes a Stand for the Environment, Women's Right and Democracy."
Caitlin Loehr of Eagan High School received 13th place for her Senior Individual Performance, "It's Not Over Yet: The Challenges and Criticism Faced by Coya Knutson." Caitlin also received the Women's History Award.
