Pierce High Sends Six to National History Day
by Greg Rethwisch
May 01, 2008
Twenty-one Pierce High students competed at Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday, April 19, for a chance to make it to National History Day. In the end six made it through.
Ryan Gaunt, Michael Blunck, and Mackenzie Baumann placed second and qualified for Nationals with their group exhibit board about Jackie Robinson. The board is titled, “Jackie Robinson: Compromising His Voice During a Time of Racial Conflict.” Ryan Gaunt said, “We are really excited to make it to National History Day and hope we can represent Pierce High School well.”
Shawn Dvorak, Danielle Tucker, and Stefanie Hoffman placed first and qualified for Nationals with their board about integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The board is titled, “They Wanted to Study History; Instead They Became a Part of It: Conflict and Compromise of Integrating Central High in 1957.”
Pierce High School swept the exhibit board category as only two exhibit boards from the state could qualify for Nationals. Pierce’s students will compete against over a hundred other exhibitors.
Brenda Fleecs sponsors and helps the students with their projects. In nine of the ten years Mrs. Fleecs has sponsored the students, some have qualified for Nationals. She said, “I was really happy to see the students make it to Nationals, but it was hard to watch the students who did not make it after all of the hard work they put into their projects.”
The students will compete at National History Day at the University of Maryland from June 14-19. They are looking for jobs to raise money for their trip. If jobs are available, one may contact Brenda Fleecs at 329-6217. Also if anyone has any information on these topics that will help out the students, he or she can contact Mrs. Fleecs.
