Bigfork students to compete in National History Day Contest
Nine National History Day state finalists from Bigfork are fundraising their way to compete nationally in Maryland this June.
The Bigfork Middle School eighth-graders include Lauren Adolph, Braden Anderson, Ryan Cantrell, Shaney Fox, Juniper Johnson, Saylor Martinz, Hanna Ritchie, Dainen Webster and Brandon Wenzel.
Students qualified for nationals after winning a local competition and placing first or second in their respective events at the state competition held in April.
The students’ goal is to raise $13,500 to cover travel expenses such as airfare, transportation, room and board.
On June 11-15 roughly 3,000 students will converge at the University of Maryland in College Park to compete in the National History Day Contest.
To prepare for nationals the group recently traveled to Helena to spend time in state archives.
“Our students are competing against the top one percent academically in the country,” said Bigfork history teacher Cynthia Wilondek. “It is quite an honor to have so many Bigfork students partaking in such a prestigious event celebrating academic excellence and a love for history.”
This year, eighth-graders explored the national contest theme “Taking a Stand in History.” Chosen a few years ago, the theme was not expected to be as relevant as it is in 2017 amid a rise in numerous national and global civic movements, according to National History Day Executive Director Cathy Gorn in a press release.
Under the National History Day theme, students conducted rigorous historical research and created projects in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website.
In addition to the competition, students will tour historical monuments and museums.
As part of National History Day, Wilondek said students will gain special entry into the United States Institute of Peace; National Museum of African American History and Culture and attend a National History Day Night at the National Museum of American History.
“We plan on meeting for coffee with our Congressmen on Wednesday morning, and hope to visit sites specific to our projects. For example, Hanna Ritchie would like to go visit the Greenpeace Headquarters in D.C. and Ryan Cantrell would like to see what the Museum of the American Indian has on his project’s topic, Chief Joesph,” Wilondek said.
People wishing to contribute may mail or drop off tax-deductible donations at the district office. Checks or money orders should be made out to “NHD.” The district office is located at Bigfork Public Schools District Office, Attn: Lacey Porrovecchio, 600 Commerce St., Bigfork, MT 59911.
Several fundraisers are also planned around the valley with a portion of proceeds benefiting the students:
- The Raven will host a Mexican food dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. May 10. Cost is $15.
- Hot dog meals sponsored by Harvest Foods will be for available for purchase at the Bigfork PTA Carnival from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 12.
- Tamarack Brewing Co. will hold a Community Tap Night to benefit the group from 6 to 9 p.m. May 31.
For more information about National History Day, visit www.nhd.org.
Following are Bigfork results from the April state competition in Bozeman:
Group exhibit — 1. Shaney Fox and Saylor Martinz, “Harriet Tubman,” 3. Walker Fisher, Quin Nissen and Addison Reichner, “Jeannette Rankin.”
Individual exhibit — 1. Hanna Ritchie, “Green Peace’s Campaign for Whales,” 3. Kenan Rehbein, “Edward Jenner and Small Pox Vaccine.”
Individual website — 2. Ryan Cantrell, “Chief Joseph’s Resistance to U.S. Army,” 3. Braden Anderson, “Battle of Thermopylae.”
Group website — 1. Lauren Adolph and Audrey Buenz, “Rosa Parks.”
Individual documentary — 3. Lucy Takeuchi, “Leo Ryan vs. Jim Jones.”
Group documentary — 2. Gabe Grende and Dainen Webster, “The Untouchables,” 3. Emmett Aschim and Nick Paulson, “First Wave of Women’s Civil Rights.”
Paper — 1. Juniper Johnson “Nelson Mandela,” 2. Brandon Wenzel, “Creation of Independent Air Force.”
Performance — 2. Group: Anna Funk, Jack Johnson and Lisa Saban, “Motown Movement.”
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.