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Sunday, May 03 2009 04:05 PM

Bakersfield history students win state finals

By The Bakersfield Californian

A dozen local students won top honors Sunday in a statewide a history contest in Sacramento.

And they'll head to Maryland next month to take part in the national event.

Related Info

History Day in California

Local state finalists:

* Individual exhibit

Student: Annie Bardet, 7th grade

School: Fruitvale Junior High

Project: "Mother Teresa: A light in the darkness"

* Group performance

Students:

Fameen Bramer, 7th grade

Bianca Hinojosa, 8th grade

Calvin Laverty, 7th grade

Marissa Manos, 8th grade

Ramneet Sahota, 7th grade

School: Fruitvale Junior High

Project: "Sylvia Mendez: The legacy of a young girl's fight for equality in education"

* Group performance

Students:

Aaliyah Beed, 8th grade

Gabriela Forter, 8th grade

Dylan Gonzales, 8th grade

Madison Olinger, 8th grade

Richard Sottile, 8th grade

School: Fruitvale Junior High

Project: "Elie Wiesel: A survivor's legacy, a message for mankind"

* Individual documentary

Student:

Sarah Moore, sophomore

School: Centennial High School

Project: "Silently leading a legacy: The actions of Chiune Sugihara"

Alternates:

Andrew Kerwin, Fruitvale, 7th grade; Brittani Louey, Fruitvale, 7th grade; Makay Moss, Columbia Elementary, 6th grade; Amy Williams, Columbia Elementary, 6th grade

"The competition was actually really hard this year," said Dylan Gonzales, an 8th-grader at Fruitvale Junior High School, whose group was among Sunday's state finalists. Last year, Dylan was part of a group that placed third in the nation.

Sunday's finals of History Day in California wrapped up the annual event, now in its 26th year, which started Thursday. Individuals and groups ranging from 4th grade to high school seniors shared projects with judges on this year's theme: "The Individual In History: Actions and Legacies."

Fruitvale had one individual and two group winners, while a Centennial High School sophomore brought home an award as well, said Susan Richardson, Fruitvale's principal.

Dylan's group took part in the performance category, where students write a script, create costumes and come up with props to act out a 10-minute project before three judges.

The judges then ask about the topic.

"They all ask really, really hard questions," Dylan said.

National finals will take place June 14-18 at the University of Maryland.

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