Classes

History Day Begins Once Again

              By Michael Doshier

Every year at Carl Stuart Middle School and Conway High School East, new students are drawn in to participate in a project known as “History Day.”  History Day requires extensive research which, in the end, results in a performance, exhibit, documentary, or historical paper created by the History day participant.  It has been heard that this year, Bob Courtway is also participating in History day which will add more competition for all of the contestants in the Junior (7^th and 8^th grade) division. 

History day begins after a few weeks of school start progressing, and then the students are to begin researching on a topic of their choice that relates to the year’s theme.  This year’s theme is “Taking a Stand in History.”  The students may also choose the direction in which they want to present their research through a performance, documentary, exhibit, or historical paper, all being either group or individual projects depending on preferences of participant.

Many students are frightened about beginning History Day either for the first time or once more.  Many are also excited because they’ve heard great things about the program.  Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Sutterfield, two ninth grade Civics teachers and History Day mentors at the campus, seem to be excited about restarting the process.

Rachel Bowen, a tenth-grade history-day participant experienced in exhibits, states, “It's a lot of hard work with all the research and staying up late to work on your exhibit, but you also have fun working with your friends!”

Jon Pucik, a freshman newcomer to the History Day process proudly says, “I’ve heard from a lot of people that History Day was a very good [and beneficial] experience.  I believe that it will be an enjoyable opportunity.”

Last year, Conway Public Schools had their most successful History Day National turnout ever, with several students going to Nationals from both Carl Stuart and Conway High School East.  To make it to Nationals, a person had to attend Regional Competition and place first, second, or third, and then move on to state competition.  He or she then must have placed first or second in his or her category at State to move on to National Competition.  National History Day is held at the University of Maryland.  If a person makes it to Nationals, he or she experiences a free, wonderful, and exciting trip to Washington, D.C., to compete on a nation-wide level.  Competitors are, in a sense, representing Arkansas in their categories. 

The students* that made it to Nationals last year from Carl Stuart that are CHS-East Freshman this year are Josh Blaylock (documentary), Michael Doshier (documentary), Katie Brown (exhibit), Morgan Hill (performance), Troy Seymour (exhibit), Sadie Smith (performance), Micaela Tourville (performance), Erik Urban (documentary), Claire Vick (performance), Katey Zimmerman (exhibit),  and Sam Trawick (performance).  The students that made it to Nationals last year from Conway High School East that are either sophomores or juniors this year are:  Mollie Booth, Amanda Carpenter, Katie Courtway, Heather Ernsbarger, Rebecca Greenway, Robert Hay, Casey Jackson, Lizy Kocsik, Ethan Kotch, Brandon Middleton, Hannah Pearson, Elizabeth Smith, Susannah Stengel, Susanna Sutterland, Kelsey Castlebury, Ysabella Esteban, Chris Jones, and Hayley Seay. 

Most of the people who were at Nationals last year and are participating in History Day once again claim it was a lot of fun in D.C. and are hoping and working hard to make it back again this year.  I, for one, am the same way.  National History Day is thrilling and a wonderful experience, and I hope to return again this summer.  Good luck to everyone that is undergoing History Day this year.  Remember, it is a lot of hard work, but you can do it, and it is worth it in the end.  Try your best and work hard!