For senior Eli Russell, learning that half the AFS student projects entered in the National History Day contest had won honors was a great feeling. But just as important, he said, was realizing what the results mean — that the school club that produced the documentary, exhibits, websites and performances will continue after he graduates in June.
Seventeen AFS students competed in five categories in the regional NHD contest held Saturday at Ursinus College. Seven of the 14 projects were recognized with awards, including four first-place finishes and three third places. The seven projects will advance to the state level, along with the nine students who created them.
“I want this club to continue after I leave,” said Eli, who founded the group two years ago. “This only validates that it has a strong place in our community. It didn’t exist four years ago. Having more than half of the 17 kids who attended the competition advance to the state level means that this is here to stay,” he said.
Eli entered the NHD competition last weekend as the reigning state champion in a senior individual category for his website about singer and activist Paul Robeson. The website went on to win third place in its category in the national competition.
This year, Eli combined his love of history and theater to enter in the senior individual performance category. His portrayal of a guide leading a tour at the 1876 Centennial in Philadelphia won first place in the category.
Junior Jayne Pardys won first place for her documentary on the Germantown Jewish Centre. Eighth grader Joseph Rotella’s website, focusing on the impressionist movement in art, won first place in the junior individual website category, while sophomores Kaiya Case and Leila El-Dada took first place in the senior group exhibit category for their pop-art exhibit.
Third place honors went to sophomore Brian Wang, senior individual exhibit category, for his exhibit on the attitude of explorers Lewis and Clark toward Native Americans; freshmen Sirui Chen and Celine Demir, senior group website category, focusing on the career of suffragist Frances Willard, and sophomore Drew Jacobson, senior individual performance, for his narrative about Argentine First Lady Eva Peron, as told at the time of her funeral.
Between now and the state contest, which will be held in May at Millersville University, the students in the National History Day Club will be revising their projects for the next level of competition.
For Eli, the experience has been valuable because it has meant a path to “creative expression within history,” getting a chance to do research in primary sources and having ownership over his work.
What has been the best part about mentoring other students in the club?
“It’s been a great experience, to create a smaller community of learning within the large community here. It’s been good just seeing them have ‘ah-ha’ moments and being excited about their projects,” he said.
