Nazareth Academy Students Advance to History Fair State Finals

Submitted by Nazareth Academy.

La Grange Park, IL - Nazareth Academy congratulates this year’s History Fair participants. All seven projects from the City Final Competition on April 5 have advanced to the State Competition on May 5, 2016.

Winners from this event will advance to National History Day, to be held in Maryland in June.

Juniors in Mrs. Hawkins’ U.S. History Honors classes are charged with creating research papers, documentaries or exhibits focused on one subject in Chicago or Chicago suburban history.

Meghan and Michelle Nelson of Chicago chose the 1909 Plan of Chicago because, explains Meghan, “in 7th grade we also participated in History Fair and our topic was Navy Pier. Through our research, we learned that Navy Pier was only a small part of a large-scale plan for the city. So when deciding on a topic this year, we chose to learn more about the Plan.”

Students spend approximately five months working individually or in groups to create historical research projects.

In fact, according to Harika Reddy of Woodridge, “The best part of history fair for me was being able to work as a group to figure out a topic and how we wanted to format the report. It was awesome to collaborate with friends on a long-term project.” Her teammate Maria Flach of La Grange agrees, “Through all the rewards and tears (when we lost our whole project because the flash drive didn't eject properly), we grew closer and made amazing memories.”

In studying the history of their own community, students learn how decisions are made in the social, cultural, economic and political realms that affect their lives. “My project helped me learn more about history because I started to understand that the fair policies we have in place today are ultimately because of the individuals who stood up and fought for what they knew was right,” explains Hinsdale’s Emily Williams.

Students learn how to find and use primary and secondary sources as evidence in their projects. In the process, they extend the walls of the classroom into the community to find sources for their research.

Berwyn’s Evangelina Gutierrez offers an example.

“Our group knew we wanted to do something original and also science based. Since Alex Creevy's dad used to work at Abbott Labs, we decided to do our research on Wallace Abbott.”

Monika Falat of Westmont advises students to pick a topic that really interests them. “If I had picked a topic that I was not passionate about, I would have dreaded History Fair and been miserable working on it. My topic was fun to research, so I enjoyed putting my project together.”

David Palacios of Westchester agrees, adding his advice to future participants, “Enjoy the journey of History Fair. Work hard and make your project what you think history is really all about; then watch and see how far it takes you!”

In 2013 and 2014, Nazareth History Fair projects advanced all the way to Nationals. Nazareth congratulates the following students:

Chicago Metro History Fair 2016
State Contest Participants

Documentaries

The Visionary 1909 Plan of Chicago
Meghan Nelson, Michelle Nelson

The Positive Effects of the Gatreaux Assisted Housing Program
Emily Williams

Commodore’s Courageous Cartoons
Jesse Bonaguro (Clarendon Hills), Brooke Gawel (Chicago), Peter Kelly (Western Springs), Carlie Wilson (La Grange Park)

Wallace C. Abbott: Revolutionizing the Medical World
Alex Creevy (Westchester), Evangelina Gutierrez, David Palacios

A,B,Cs & 1,2,3s: Elizabeth Harrison and her Impact on Education
Maria Flach, Harika Reddy, Maya Vondrasek (Western Springs)

Exhibits

Exchanging Cruel Captivity for Conservation
Monika Falat, Erin Lorenzen (Westchester)

Gurdon Hubbard and his Economic Development of Chicago
Mary Mullarkey (La Grange), Allison Salata (Downers Grove)