Two North Winneshiek students compete in National History Day Regionals

North Winneshiek Sixth-grader Maria Hendrickson and eighth-grader Thomas Hendrickson

Two North Winneshiek students participated in the National History Day Regional Competition.

Sixth-grader Maria Hendrickson and eighth-grader Thomas Hendrickson worked outside of school time to complete their projects. The National History Day program works to teach students how to research a topic and present the information in one of several formats. The theme this year was Leadership and Legacy in History—the students were asked to show how their topic showed both leadership and has left a legacy.

Maria's exhibit display, about Prima Ballerina Margot Fonteyn, was a triangular-turning display of photos, facts, and information.  To prepare for her project Maria read Fonteyn's autobiography and many other source materials and watched videos of Fonteyn dancing.

Thomas Hendrickson participated for his third year in the program by writing a research paper about Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets.  Thomas watched some video clips of Henson's early work.  Thomas loved trying to imitate the voice of Kermit the Frog and using a home-made Kermit puppet, practicing techniques he had learned from his research.  Thomas was selected as a state qualifier in the Junior Research Paper division.