Pelham Students 'Take a Stand in History'

From Pelham Public Schools: Pelham Middle School 8th graders transformed the library into a museum on Thursday, Jan. 27 for the annual National History Day contest. The students, guided by their social studies teachers, made history come alive by documenting historic, cultural, and social experiences of the past. This year, the theme of National History Day is “Taking a Stand in History.” The students, working individually or in groups, were tasked with conducting primary or secondary research and creating an exhibit, historical paper, live performance, documentary or website about a specific historical event or person who either took a stand, or decided not to. Through their work, the students analyze and interpret their sources and draw conclusions about the significance of their chosen topic.

Winners were selected in each category and will continue to refine their projects before moving on to the regional competition in March. If selected, the students might also advance to the state and national competitions.

PMHS juniors also participate in the National History Competition and winners will be announced soon.

This year’s 8th Grade winners:

Historical Paper

• “John Scopes Takes a Stand Through the Scopes Trial” - Dylan Lee
• “Booker T. Washington: Taking a Stand” - Jack D’Angelo
• “Katherine Johnson: The Woman Computer Who Significantly Altered the Space Race” - Emily Kalyvas

Individual Live Performance

• “The Salem Witch Trials” - Ella Burns
• “Gettysburg” - Colin Healy
• “The California Coastal Act” - Katja Fair

Individual Documentary

• “The Photography of Ansel Adams: Japanese Internment Camps” - Katherine D’Adamo
• “Thurgood Marshall” - Graham Johnson
• “The Cuban Missile Crisis” - Juan Carlos Matos

Group Documentary

• “Nellie Bly” - Lilly Baxter and Jackson Sylver
• “NATO: Taking a Stand in History” - Julia Corso and Nell Plunkett
• “The Red Scare” - Chapman Jones and Nevan Malwana

Individual Website

• “The Tuskegee Airman Take a Stand by Outflying Racism” - Aidan Kiernan
• “Susan B. Anthony and the Journey to Women’s Rights” - Caroline Spana

Group Website

• “Flappers” - Sophia Leung and Giovanna Vitale
• “Maya Lin and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial” - Emmett Doyle and Emmett McLaughlin

Individual Exhibit

• “Paint: An Unlikely Weapon” - Rebecca Jacobson
• “Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: Cold War Casualties” - Sara Almo
• “Taking a Stand in History: The National Park Service” - Marlen Singh

Group Exhibit

• “Abraham Lincoln” - Jack Murphy and Harrison Sylver
• “The Salem Witch Trials” - Hannah Doka and Jasmine Zaman
• “Abbie Hoffman: American Hero, Political Activist” - Flynn Bryan, Jerry Reen and Carlo Volpe

Photo Credit: Deborah Karson

(Image 1) Andrew Terraciano

(Image 2) Hannah Doka & Jasmine Zaman

(Image 3) Caleb Persanis & Evan Sefchick

(Image 4) Vikram Jallepalli

(Image 5) Katherine D'Adamo