National History Day

      This is the second year SCSD competed in the National History Day Competition at Juniata College.   Some of the National Sponsors for History Day are: the History Channel, Maryland State University, and Case Western Reserve University. Mrs. Laurie Fichtner, elementary and middle school gifted support teacher is the National History Day coach.
     The students had to choose a topic that they could relate to the theme Conflict and Compromise.   They then began extensive research.   The students had to not only understand the research, but also interpret it.   There were four divisions in which to compete:   exhibit, documentary, performance, and research paper. Some students chose to do exhibit boards and displays. Another group produced a documentary with assistance and instruction from Mr. DeLozier and Mr. Grozanick.   In addition to compiling the research and displaying it on an exhibit board, they also could do three-dimensional displays to go along with their exhibits.   Additional requirements included having to do an annotated bibliography, with primary and secondary sources; and a process paper explaining their research project.   On the day of the competition, the students were interviewed by judges about their topics to determine their depth of knowledge.
     It was an incredible learning experience for all of us. Four out of six of our groups made it to the finals. Andrew Brumbaugh, Hannah Shingler, Matthew Prokop, Philip Williams, Matt Ritchey, Levi Steward, Logan Stern, A.J. Farkus and Connor Greenland from SCMS produced projects for the competition.   Representing Central High School were Rachel Fry, Shana West, and Jason Prokop.
     Hannah Shingler placed third in the junior level division “Individual Exhibit” category with a project on The Anabaptists. Andrew Brumbaugh placed 1st in the junior level “Individual Exhibit” category with his project on The Andersonville Prison. Rachel Fry and Shana West took 1st in the high school level “Group Exhibit” category with their project on Cleopatra: A Life of Compromise in a Time of Conflict. Andrew, Rachel, and Shana are advancing to the PA State National History Day Competition at Millersville, University, May 12 and 13, 2008.