History Day winners compete at state contest

— Kyle Stivers

History Day was judged recently in the Yosemite High School Library. This was one of the boards that was presented for judging at the county level.

Student projects range from Mother Teresa to Woodstock

Jessica Burks

History Day, a nationally recognized competition for junior high and high school students, took place March 7. Yosemite High School has been participating in the nation-wide event since 1993. This year's topic is "Revolution, Reaction, or Reform in History." Student paper choices include ideas such as The Panama Canal and Mother Teresa.

"Students have a lot of freedom on choosing a topic, which is neat," says history teacher, Rebecca Rice, in regard to her feelings on History Day. Not everyone, however, shares this feeling. Take Nick Bendz, a sophomore, for instance, who feels "They don't give [students] nearly enough time to make [our project] look good. If there was more time we actually might have the time to work on them!"

Students have five choices on the types of projects they can do. They are able to write an essay, act out a performance, do an exhibit, a documentary, or create a webpage.

"Most of the sophomores do the exhibits; juniors are usually required to do the essay," Rice says. She also adds that "Students will often procrastinate or have trouble with people they are working with. But these lessons, although tough, are important too."

In the essay category, Eva Robben, a senior, received first place for her paper titled "Woodstock." Jena Alberton, a junior, received a second for her "Jackie Robison" and Jennifer Pero, senior, took third for her paper "Sanitary Choices for Modern Women."

In the individual exhibits category, Alana Stewart, sophomore, took first place for her "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Second place went to sophomore Kyle Mosher's "Germ Theory of Disease." Sarah Scott and Nekayah Goedert, both seniors, won first place in the group exhibits for their "Mechanization of Grape Harvesting in California." Sophomores Monique Kiviaho, Julie Ruddock and Taryn Porter received second place for their project titled "American Revolution 1760-1791."

Sophomores Brandon Wright and Daniel McHenry's "Khmer Rouge Genocide" took first place in the documentary category. Wade Kimbely and Joseph Williams, both sophomores, received an honorable mention for their "Automobile Revolution." Jacob VanMeter, sophomore, also received an honorable mention in this category for his documentary entitled "The Beatles."

Sophomores Andy Medley and Alex Cano took first place in the web site category for creating a website called "The Nuremberg Trials."