Whitewater High School students that have qualified for state are getting ready for the National History Day state competition on April 13, 2019. Bailee Korf, Broderick Frye, and Emily Scherer had the pleasure of interviewing former Governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle this week. The students are working on their documentary on the General Motors plant in Janesville, Wisconsin.
National History Day teaches the skills individuals need in the 21st Century. The program’s three central elements develop participants’ abilities to complete extensive research, critically analyze and develop historical conclusions about the information they have discovered in a variety of sources, and present and defend their interpretations in a critical, yet creative forum. Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students produce historical documentaries, exhibits, historical websites, dramatic performances, and research papers based on an annual theme.
The 2019 theme is “Triumph and Tragedy in American History.” 2019 National History Day – WHS Finalists advancing to State Competition include: Senior Group Documentary: Broderick Frye, Bailee Korf, and Emily Scherer – “The Triumph and Tragedy of the Janesville GM Plant”; Senior Individual Performance: Gio Anello – “Alvin York: Conscientious Objector to Decorated Veteran”; Senior Individual Performance: Madison Strickler – “Dr. John Galt”; Senior Group Performance: Nikita Hartzheim and Savannah Hill – “The Rosenbergs”; and Senior Group Performance: Anna Ejnik and Brandon Damhorst – “Kent State Shooting.”