Middle School Students Compete at National History Day


Twelve Sewickley Academy Middle School students competed at the annual National History Day competition at the Heinz History Center on Saturday, March 4, 2017. 

The competition encourages students to research a historical topic of their choice, present it in a format of their choice, and defend their work to a panel of judges. Some of the Grade 7 and 8 students chose to build a website about their topic, while others wrote a paper, constructed an exhibit, or made a documentary. Topics included Muhammad Ali, Genghis Khan, Edmund Ruffin, Nasser and Egypt, child labor activists, and Mother Jones.
 
Aizah Kamal, Elim Chen, and Srimayi Mulukutla produced a 10-minute documentary about the Sonderkommando Revolt at Auschwitz. They posted the video on YouTube and received feedback from Meirav Kaye, Sonderkommando’s granddaughter. Meirav commented, “As Sonderkommando’s granddaughter, I must say that I find the voice of the young girls more chilling than the story. I still don't know what will be the right age to share [her story] with my future kids. But I am mostly proud. You are explaining it better than the historians who usually leave those brave women out. I'm sharing it on my Facebook Group, ‘Auschwitz Social Archive.’ You are more than welcome to join.”
 
Although our students did not place, they did receive scores in the good-excellent and excellent-superior ranges. Kate Lukaszewicz, Middle School social studies teacher, was impressed with the confidence in which all the kids presented their work and congratulated them on their efforts.

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