Westside Middle School Academy Honors National History Day

From Westside Middle School Academy: Students at Westside Middle School Academy researched history from civil rights to women’s rights to the anti-duel movement and filled two rooms of their school with exhibits on Feb. 3, in honor of National History Day.

Two hundred seventh- and eighth-grade students in the Global Studies program presented topics from Gandi’s Salt March to the Sea, War in the Pacific and Women’s Rights. Students will now take their projects to the NHD state level competition in Torrington on March 11. Participation for the seventh grade is funded through a civil rights grant.

National History Day is an academic competition focusing on history for students in grades six through 12 and started in 1974 on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.

“It all started with one musical,” said eighth-grade student Greg Fanning, referring to the Broadway sensation “Hamilton”; he and project partners Daniel Storms and Ryan Margiloff didn’t see the musical, but listened to the music and were fascinated by the story that led to the Anti-Duel Movement in the 1800s.

“There was a lot of tension between Hamilton and Burr,” Greg said, who has since learned that there are state laws against duels in every state but Texas.

“A duel was a practice of honor,” said Daniel. “Hamilton didn’t want to fight Burr . . . he was forced into the duel.”

Eighth grader Camily Aguiar, who along with student Maame Obeng, was chosen for the national competition last year for their presentation on the “Montgomery Bus Boycott.” This year’s project with partners Gabriella Silva and Sierra Geoffrion was on “Roe v. Wade,” the Supreme Court case that resulted in making abortion legal in 1973.

“Abortion is a controversial topic,” said Camilly. “This whole movement started because advocates believed it was a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.”

Kaitlyn Klampert and Kiana Shabazz-Williams, both in eighth grade, researched Jane Goodall and her work to save chimpanzees. They both wanted to work on a project that involved animals.

“And she did take a stand to save chimpanzee’s lives,” said Kaitlyn, and was awarded Dame of the British Empire for her work.

The History Day project, led by Global Studies theme coach Jacob Thies, has been a major focus in the Global Studies academy as it combines research, reading, writing, and technology skills with historical inquiry. A panel of judges from the community, school district and school with backgrounds in inquiry, history and technology evaluated the projects using NHD rubrics, and provided students with feedback on their presentations.

WSMSA teachers Nancy Barlow, Andrea LaRosa, Laura Muller and Thies worked with students on the project and will accompany on their next level of competition. Following the regional competition in March is the state competition in April. National History Day is in June.

Images Courtesy Of Westside Middle School Academy