Advances to National History Day contest at University of Maryland next month
(l-r) Governor Terry Branstad, Danielle Baresel, Department of Education Director Jason Glass and Department of Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie.
DES MOINES - Danielle Baresel of Davenport Central High School received top honors at the National History Day in Iowa contest this week at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines.
Baresel joins a group of Iowa students who will compete against nearly 2,500 other students from the United States, Guam, America Samoa, Department of Defense schools in Europe, and Shanghai, China, June 10-14, 2012, at the 2012 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland.
During this week's state contest, Baresel competed against nearly 270 other students in the senior division (grades 9-12) and received top honors for her entry, "Virginia Woolf: Reforming the Modern Novel Through Revolutionizing Feminism" in the Senior Individual Performance category. About 400 students in grades 6-8 will compete in the junior division contest Monday, May 7, 2012, also at the State Historical Museum.
National History Day is an academic-enrichment program that helps students learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. The year-long academic adventure fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and encourages them to use primary, secondary, community and statewide resources on a subject of their choice related to an annual theme. The theme for 2012 is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History."
Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students compete in the following categories: historical papers, individual and group exhibits, documentaries, performances and websites. Nearly 10,000 Iowa students competed in the program this year, with winners at school and district competitions advancing to the state contests in Des Moines.
In addition to helping students discover the world of the past, the NHD program helps them develop the following attributes that are critical for future success:
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- research and reading skills
- oral and written communication and presentation skills
- self-esteem and confidence
- a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process
The NHD program in Iowa has been coordinated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department Cultural Affairs, since 1994 and is sponsored by the State Historical Society, Inc., and the History Channel. More information about NHD in Iowa is available at www.iowahistory.org or by contacting Millie Frese at 515-281-6860 or millie.frese@iowa.gov.
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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state's interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
