Grand Valley to host Michigan History Day regional contest

ALLENDALE, Mich. – More than two hundred students representing many West Michigan area schools are participating in this year's Michigan History Day western regional contest at Grand Valley State University.

The regional contest will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kirkhof Center on Grand Valley’s Allendale Campus. Middle and high school students will compete in two divisions: Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12). There is also a noncompetitive youth division for fourth and fifth graders.

Following the theme, “The Individual in History,” entrants present from one of five categories: individual paper, Web sites and individual or group exhibits, documentaries and performances. Judges are faculty and graduates from Grand Valley’s history department, local teachers and community historians. They will select the top three entries in each division and category; the winners will advance to the state contest, held at Grand Valley, on April 25.

“Michigan History Day offers a fascinating opportunity to move history classes beyond rote learning,” said Grand Valley Professor of History Sean O’Neill, who is organizing the event.  “The participants perform self-directed research on an individually chosen topic then present their work through the allied disciplines of art, literature, music, drama, and visual communications, in addition to writing.” 

It is the goal of the program to empower students with research skills, critical thinking skills and outlets for creative expression which will enhance their academic abilities in all areas of study. Sponsors for the local event include Grand Valley State University, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of History, The Historical Society of Michigan, The Michigan Council for History Education, Meijer, Alticor and the Detroit Salt Company.

For more information contact O’Neill at (616) 331-3325. Teachers experienced at guiding students through the History Day program are listed opposite their schools; they would also be good contacts for interviews.

Schools participating include:

Senior Category
Comstock Park High School, Karen Auwers
Forrest Hills Eastern High School, Lea Sevigny
Grand Haven High School, Kevin Howard
Grant High School, Maxine Schneider
Holland High School, Gary Vosburg
Whitehall High School, Jan Klco

Junior Category
Ada Christian Middle School, Vonda Brasser & Christian Contant
C.H.E.E. Home School—Newaygo, Jackie TellKamp
Forrest Hills Central Middle School, Paul Ten Eyck
Forrest Hills Eastern Middle School, Lea Sevigny, James Cross & Adam McVicker
Forrest Hills Northern Middle School, Mary Beth McMahon
Holland West Middle School, Mark Knopf/Gary Vosburg
Holland East K-8 School, Gary Vosburg
Jenison Christian , Tim TerHaar, Jane VandePol & Myrna  VanBeek
Home School—Kent, Becky Underwood
Lakewood West Elementary School, Jeanette Jackson
Nellie B. Chisholm Middle School, David Vermeulen
Whitehall Middle School, Jan Klco

Youth Category
Ealy Elementary School—Whitehall , Jan Klco