By Kris Casey
Special to the Herald Times
Thirty-one Barone Middle School eighth graders traveled to Mesa University on Saturday, March 9, to compete in the Western Slope Regional History Day competition. Each student qualified after competing in our local competition in early February. Every year the eighth-grade students are tasked with researching and developing a History Day project of their choice under a broad theme; this year’s theme was “Turning Points in History.” Students can choose from creating an exhibit, website, performance, paper or documentary. Our local competition spanned over two mornings and allowed students to present their projects to judges. During our local competition, students explained their projects, answered questions, and received critiques about their projects. Students selected to move on to the Regional Competition then had time to make corrections and further research their topic to prepare for the next competition. My students and I would like to thank our local judges: Georgann Amack, Clint Shults, Niki Turner, Carly Thomson, Tera Shults, Bill DeVergie, Peggy Strate, Brooke Mantle, Mandi Ethridge, Janelle Urista, Ann Franklin, Suzan Pelloni and Ed Peck.
The following students competed in the respective categories.
Individual Exhibit: Norah Loar, Sienna Rolen, Bradley Conrado
Group Exhibit: Kalee Ivy/Braylin Pena, Althea Halstead/Berkli Harvey, Avarie Caulfield/Gracee Gardner, Gavin Allen/Nick Gates/Ashton Tapia, Hoyt Garcia/Logan Selby, Caydence Smith/Israel Ayala/Brenda Rodriguez (the following qualified, but were unable to attend: Iris Gianinetti/Jaxen Mills and Eli Rundberg/Cooper Maupin)
Individual Documentary: Ryan Hanberg, Dexter Chinn, Bella Munger
Group Documentary: Hailey Schwartz/Ellie Ford/Auri Murray
Individual Website: Luci Munger
Group Website: Jayci Chintala/Payton Arnold/Julie Kracht
Paper: Iris Holmes
Competition at Regionals was divided among eight middle schools and more than 100 projects. Norah Loar took first place with her exhibit titled, “The re-creation of Israel.” Sienna Rolen placed second with her exhibit titled, “Brain Tumors.” And Iris Holmes placed second with her paper titled, “The Discovery of the Carbon 14 Isotope: A Revolution in Science and History.” These three students will move on to the State Competition in Denver on April 27. Before this next competition, they will again be able to look at the judges’ critiques, make improvements, and further their research.
I am so very proud of all of the eighth graders and the work they put into their projects over the past several months. A lot of time in the classroom and out of the classroom is used to make these projects! Great job!
COURTESY PHOTOS
Barone Middle School history students consistently perform well at the annual History Day competition and this year was no exception. Thirty-one eighth graders traveled to Colorado Mesa University on March 9 for the regional competition. Three of the competitors will move on to the state competition in Denver on April 27.
