History Day state concludes
Competitors reflect on performance
May 7, 2015
Sophomore Anna Roethler puts on her thinking face as she reflects on the preparations that brought her to state for History Day.
“We worked really hard and we improved our documentary throughout the rounds as we advanced,” Roethler said.
Roethler said she felt it was an accomplishment making it to state but as time went on her hopes of going to nationals started to fade.
“At first we really wanted to (make it to nationals) but as the rounds went on it was just so much work that we started to not care as much,” Roethler said.
According to Roethler, her team ranked top 10 at the state competition. However, only the top two teams move on to nationals.
Sophomore Sam Orloff will be the only student from Park competing at nationals. His paper on Anwar Sadat won first place in its category at state.
“It’s really exciting,” Orloff said. “It’s good to see the culmination of my hard work.”
While students focused on making it to nationals, social studies teacher Carley Kregness said she decided to focus on the advantages History Day offers.
“Skills that they learn in History Day are skills they will use throughout the rest of high school and in college,” Kregness said.
Kregness said History Day gives students the freedom to investigate any subject that piques their curiosity.
“Kids get to do a topic they are really interested in which engages them to think and research more thoroughly,” Kregness said.
The History Day state competition took place May 2 at the University of Minnesota. The national competition will be June 14-18 in Washington, D.C.
