Central Academy Historians Shine at History Day Event

Several Central Academy students qualified for State and earned awards at the National History Day district competition.

Several Central Academy students qualified for State and earned awards at the National History Day district competition.

Sixty-four Central Academy students participated in National History Day district competition at Grandview University last weekend, with several students qualifying for the state competition and earning additional awards.

History teacher Canada Snyder notes that this year’s theme was “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” Students were able to work individually or in groups up to 5 people on projects in one of five categories: historical paper, website, documentary, performance, and exhibits. Participation at Central Academy in the National History Day competition is a cross-curricular effort, done in conjunction between both History and Advanced American Literature classes.

Students selected for the State National History Day will participate on Monday, April 28 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Snyder points out that Central Academy has students who qualified for State in all five categories.

Central Academy students who qualified for the State National History Day competition:

  • Cole Schroder-Kelly: historical paper, Furman v Georgia: Death on Trial
  • Carmen Angel: exhibit, The Man in the Shadows (Bayard Rustin)
  • Lily DeForest Colvig and Ingrid Messersmith-Holth: exhibit, Blame it on the Alcohol
  • Ellie Nelson and Emma Wood: documentary, Margaret Sanger, Progressive Actions, Regressive Motives
  • Elena Hildebrandt: performance, Alice Paul, Deeds not Words
  • Addison Williamnson: performance, 1967 Altercations Show that Right to Protest Requires Accepting Responsibilities
  • Sylvia Visser and Elli Bandstra: performance, Arabella Mansfield; Paving the Future for Women Lawyers
  • Isabel Allaway and Jack Chasse: peformance, Wearing Freedom on their Sleeves
  • Mila Kaut: website,  Shirley Chisholm: The Irrepressible Voice for the Underrepresented.
  • Jack Wahlig: website, Penn Central v NYC: A Taking of Land-A Taking of Rights
  • Meghan Sullivan, Louise Jenson, Meredith Scott, Emma Hopkins and Molly Donnelly: The Ride to Des Moines

Central Academy students winning exceptional awards:

  • Creative Topic: Anna Barcus and Lindy Trout-website, Allen Ginsberg-Uncensored-The Story of the Beat Generation
  • Creative Performance: Sylvia Visser and Elli Bandstra-performance, Arabella Mansfield; Paving the Future for Women Lawyers
  • Creative Exhibit: Lily DeForest Colvig and Ingrid Messersmith-Holth-exhibit, Blame it on the Alcohol
  • Creative Exhibit: Gloria Dei Filippone and Chloe Ibsen, Who Wears the Pants Now?
  • Creative Paper: Betsy Hosier, Responsible Rationing in Iowa
  • Excellent Use of Resources: Seth and Justin Ashley, The Cold War Heats Up: U-2 Spy Plane Incident

National History Day is designed to make history come alive for students by engaging them in the discovery of the historical, cultural and social experiences of the past. Through hands-on experiences and presentations, students are better able to inform the present and shape the future. Visit the National History Day web site to learn more.

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