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Columbia Elementary students place third in the nation at History Day
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Posted by admin Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Seven students from Northwest public schools competed in National History Day which began Sunday and concluded June 14 at the University of Maryland against the best 2,100 participating students in the United States.

Results were announced June 14. Columbia Elementary School students Dylan Gonzales, Madison Olinger and Ricky Sottile competed against 87 other teams to place third in the junior group performance. The trio’s presentation was “Lasting Valor: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Vernon J. Baker.” Baker is the only living African American World War II hero to receive the Medal of Honor.

Fruitvale Junior High School student, Sarah Moore competed against a field of 91 competitors to place sixth in the Junior Documentary category. Her documentary was “The Iran Hostage Crisis: The Triumphs within the Tragedy.”

Other competitors included Fruitvale Junior High students Tanner Kelly and  Nikhil Bhambi, whose presentation was “The V-2 Rocket: From Tragedy in Europe to the Triumph of Space Exploration.”

“The students worked extremely hard to prepare for this competition during the past seven months,” said Columbia Elementary principal Bill Jager. “I can’t say enough about their dedication, along with their parents who always supported them and our school. This is, indeed, a day to celebrate.”

Competing in the Senior Documentary was Centennial High School student Russell Reason, whose presentation was “Kingfish Lost his Crown: The Rise and Fall of Huey P. Long.”

Columbia Elementary and Fruitvale Junior High schools are part of the Fruitvale School District in Northwest Bakersfield. Centennial High School, also in Northwest Bakersfield, is part of the Kern High School District.

All of Bakersfield’s entrants had to first win at Kern County History Day, sponsored by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, and then win again at History Day in California in Long Beach to be eligible for the National History Day competition.

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