North Andrew Students Headed to National History Day Competition in Washington D.C.
SAVANNAH, MO- Three North Andrew middle school students are headed to the nation’s capital next week to take part in the National History Day Competition. Collin Sybert, an eighth grader, took first place in individual performance at the state competition. He will join seventh graders Hilde Wheeler and Maverick Sybert, who placed first at the state competition in group performance. The three held a practice session for the public on Tuesday at the Savannah Branch Library. Collin’s presentation is entitled “Atomic Power-Harry Truman.” Collin’s performance is an aside, depicting Harry Truman discussing World War Two.
During his presentation, Collin discusses the Manhattan Project to build a nuclear bomb, which ultimately brought an end to the war.
This year’s contest theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” Students were invited to explore topics in the history of science, art, technology, medicine, religion, politics, social change, and the military. Loretta Lynn’s passing last October sparked the idea for Maverick and Hilde’s performance titled “Lorretta Lynn-Kicking Up Dust.” Maverick tells the story of Loretta’s life by first depicting her father.
Hilde portrays Loretta and talks about the singer’s life as a successful country music star.
During the performance, Maverick changes roles and tells the audience more about Loretta’s career as he depicts her husband.
National History Day reaches more than half a million students each year through student contests. Students choose a topic and dive deeply into the past by conducting research. They then present their conclusions and evidence through papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites. Students develop skills in communication, project management, and historical thinking. Collin, Hilde and Maverick will compete next week at the University of Maryland at College Park against hundreds of students from all over the globe. More than 400 historians and education professionals will serve as judges and $150,000 in scholarships will be awarded. And 100 students take home cash prizes between $250 and $1,000. Their presentations last around ten minutes and they will then answer questions from the judges about their subject.
We will air Collin, Hilde, and Maverick’s full presentation on the Northwest MO Info Show on Saturday, June 17th after the national competition has taken place. Those videos will also be posted on our website, northwestmoinfo.com.
