Imagine Prep Hosts First History Nights

Surprise Independent, Page A08

December 16, 2009

 By John Buzzard
 
Junior high and high school students at Imagine Prep at Surprise, 14850 N. 156th Ave., participated in Imagine Prep’s first ever History Nights Dec. 2 and 3. This event was the culmination of a semester-long research project that students had the choice of entering in the National History Day Competition.
 
 “ The students really got into their projects,” said Amanda Badali, eighth-grade social studies teacher. “ For most of our junior high students this was the most demanding research project they have been assigned. The students were required to find 20 sources, one of which had to be an interview and to complete a project demonstrating the knowledge they gained from their research. The students did an amazing job of sharing their knowledge with parents, friends, faculty and other community members during History Nights.”
 
 All junior high and high school students taking history were required to participate in History Nights by selecting a historical topic related to the theme of “ Innovation in History” and conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites.
 
 After analyzing and interpreting their sources and drawing conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, students presented their work in original papers, Web sites, exhibits, performances and documentaries during Imagine Prep History Nights.
 
 Many students opted to have their work be evaluated before entering into a National History Day Competition in the spring.
 
 Seventh-grade students receiving special recognition for their projects were: Most creative: Britnee Ford and Yazmin Padilla; Best Historical Content: Michael Dias, Jacob Sherrill, Aleah Sirochman and Rebecca Pavlovici; Best Visuals: Alek Parish, Mallory Bodrog, Kristina Ponce; Most Innovative: Raven Fawcett and Ben Flood. Eighth-grade students receiving special recognition for their projects were: Most Creative: Noah Tucker, Tim Avila, Alison Baker, Kendall Enstad; Best Historical Content: Connor Copp, Bryn Beyer; Best Visuals: Ericka Arrington, Jessica Ferris, Carissa Ferris; Most Innovative Topic: Jeremy Cassady, Luke Ward and Kaitlyn Smoot.
 
 High school students receiving special recognition for their projects were: Most Creative: Jennifer Choi and Tiffany Armstrong; Best Visuals: Erin Burk and Shyann Budd.
 
 For students who select to participate in the competition, their projects are evaluated by professional historians and educators and they have the opportunity to advance to state and national levels. The program culminates in the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest each June held at the University of Maryland at College Park.
 
 Imagine Prep at Surprise is a free charter school serving grades 7- 12. Visit www. surpriseprep. com.