bhenderson posted on May 29, 2012 09:11
Representatives from the Social Sciences department at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in conjunction with the Development Foundation, presented Vinita High School (VHS) students with a check for $500 to defray the $6,000 cost of attending the national competition this June in College Park, Maryland. These students competed in the District 12 History Day competition at NEO last March and went on to represent the District (Ottawa, Craig, and Delaware counties) at the state competition.
VHS students Radha Gandhi, Chelsea Fiedler, Victoria Spitler, and Garret Maxey, placed first at State in the Group Documentary category. Their entry, "The Ins and Outs of Tea and Treason," is a documentary about the Boston Tea Party.
VHS student Alyson Clarkson placed second at State in the Individual Exhibit category. Her exhibit about the Dust Bowl is titled, "Breaking the Plains Broke the People."
These are the first projects from Ottawa, Delaware and Craig counties to reach the national competition since NEO revived History Day in northeast Okla. six years ago. All of these students are juniors, and Chris Neal is their history instructor.
“I'm very proud of these young people. It tells you that scholarship is alive and well. I know they'll have a great experience in Maryland, and in Washington, D.C.," said Jeff Birdsong, NEO coordinator for district 12 History Day. "I hope this gets more schools and students interested in History Day for the future.”
Neal is the sponsor for the Vinita students. The Vinita History teacher noted that costs for the trip will approximate close to $6,000 total. Donations for this event are certainly welcomed. If anyone would like to contribute please contact Mr. Neal at nealca@vinitahornets.com.
###