Historical Connections - Students Compete In History Event

[Herb Fellow]

Eighth-grader Hunter Hupp admitted he was shaking before he took the stage to perform an interpretation of the Treaty of Versailles on Saturday at Vermont History Day. "I've done this before," said Hupp of Mount Holly about participating in the Vermont Historical Society's history competition that took place at Spaulding High School. "My sixth-grade year we got to Washington."

Nearly 150 students, representing 10 schools in Vermont, from Island Pond to Brattleboro, gathered at the high school in Barre to compete for a shot at the national competition in College Park, Md. Competitions are separated according to middle and high school students, as well as group and individual projects. "Conflict and Compromise in History" was the theme for this year's event.

"In the morning the kids are so full of angst," said Jane Campbell, director of development for the Vermont Historical Society. "By the end of the day they are leaping onto the stage."

Presentations began at 9:45 a.m. and went until a little after 11 a.m. At that time everyone scattered off for lunch with plans to return for the judges' results later in the day.

While the other students and judges headed off to find lunch, Shanda Mahoney of Burlington High School stood in front of her exhibit called "Cannabis Can."

"There's a wide variety of topics but this one piqued our interest," said John Gilligan of Barre who was a judge at the event. "We test them on their ability to be knowledgeable on the subject – not so much on their flare."

Mahoney, whose project concentrated on the medicinal aspects of marijuana, said after months of research, she was knowledgeable.

"We've been doing the project for six months, so I knew what I was talking about," said Mahoney.

This year there were 49 entries in the senior exhibit category, while other categories had a smaller showing. Students can choose a subject and relate it to the theme through an exhibit, documentary film, Web site or performance. Event coordinator Victoria Hughes, who is the K-12 education programs manager for the historical society, explained how those in a category with fewer entries have a better chance of going on to the national competition.

Lyn Blackwell of East Montpelier has been a judge for the past four years, each in a different category, and this year critiqued the senior documentaries. She was surprised at how few entries there were in the category. With only two to choose from Blackwell admits to being blown away with one of the films about jazz musician Ornette Coleman. It was at the level of a professional filmmaker, she explained.

"What brings me back is the students and their enthusiasm for history – and their creativity," said Blackwell, an avid historian. "It's really, really fun. I love it. It's one of my favorite days of the year."

Judges for the competition come from all over the state and most have a background in either history or teaching. Jon Matthewson, from the Middletown Springs Historical Society, was one of the judges for the junior performance category – the one in which Hupp competed.

"I think they're excellent, the performances and exhibits, I find, get better every year," said Matthewson. "What they need to do is put these complex issues into 10 minutes and make it theatrically interesting. It's going to be very hard to decide this year who will be the winner. They're all very well done."

Source: Rutland Herald
Copyright: 2008, Rutland Herald
Contact: Sarah Hinckley, sarah.hinckley@timesargus.com.
Website: Historical connections: Rutland Herald Online