Lakewood Ranch student earns state history awards

Jillian McManis- Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) junior Mackenzie Walker recently earned recognition at the State History Fair with her research paper on how bicycles changed women’s lives throughout history.

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Her project earned two special awards - The American History Innovation Award and the Women’s History Innovation Award. Walker said the experience helped strengthen her understanding of history while also improving her writing and critical thinking skills.

Walker explained that she chose the topic because of the bicycle’s impact on women’s freedom and independence during the late 1800s and 1900s.

“My topic was about the bicycle and how it transformed women’s lives,” Walker said. “It is important because the bicycle led to many reforms for women at the time, including changes in dress code, shifts in gender roles, shifts in gender roles, and giving women greater freedom and independence.”

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Walker was required to write the paper as part of the LRHS dual enrolled US History class. She wanted to focus on a topic that was unique and showed how small inventions can create major social change. While researching, she discovered just how much influence the bicycle had on women's rights and opportunities.

At the state competition, Walker said one of the most memorable parts was exploring historic buildings and seeing projects created by students across the state.