Our 7th and 8th grade students did wonderfully at the Illinois History Day this past week! From our school’s History Fair, 3 group documentaries, 1 group exhibit, and 2 individual exhibits advanced to the state level. All of our submitted projects received superior ribbons - indicating a score of 98 or above. After making the run-offs in their respective categories, all scored in the top 5 of 100 projects in each category.

Two of our teams, one with a group exhibit and another with a group documentary, received 3rd place. Both of these teams are now alternate projects for the national competition.
 
One of our group documentaries entitled “The Women of the Haymarket Riot” won an award along with a cash prize from the Illinois Labor Historical Society. The president of the society had attended the presentation given by the students. Afterwards, a copy of the documentary was requested to be included in their historical archives.

Seventh and Eighth grade students showcased their efforts on their History Fair projects this past Tuesday. This year’s theme, as determined by National History Day organization, was Conflict and Compromise in History. Finished products included papers, trifolds, websites, documentaries and even a dramatic performance. Younger students as well as parents stopped by learn about the topics and support our student historians! Thank you to the many parents and community members who stopped by! Our seventh and eighth grade students did a great job sharing what they have learned, and it was a wonderful event.

A quick note to say Sophie and I are back from National History Day in College Park, MD - happy and so pleased to share in the passions experienced at nationals. How invigorating and inspiring to see students from national and international schools fuel their desires for History and learning. The projects were so impressive; competition absolutely fierce this year.

I am pleased to share the news of Sophie's success for her individual documentary- focusing on Chicago's influenza of 1918 and how it helped shaped advancements in public health. Sophie's project impressively reached the finals- chosen out of the 100 national participants in her category- and finished overall with 9th place. Please believe me when I say the real accomplishment was making the finals- only one documentary was chosen per room- the 9th place finish truly was icing on the cake. Sophie was the only Illinois participant chosen for the documentary finals and represented with pride and poise.

Please join me in congratulating Sophie- she is happy and feeling great after a wonderful week- and, by extension, six months of work. A great way to kick off her busy summer plans before attending High School in the Fall.

- Ms. Siegel

It is with great pleasure to report that SAA returns from the Chicago Metro History Fair with a place at the National History Fair! We had a tremendous showing at the state tournament yesterday in Springfield!

Only the top two projects in each category go to Nationals. Sophie's documentary was awarded top two in the state. She and I will travel to University of Maryland in College Park to compete in a few weeks mid June. Her project was one of 36 projects chosen out of 2000.

I am also happy to share that two projects took a technical "3rd" in state - Ellie's paper and Izzy and Emily's documentary. They are the alternates for nationals - if one of the two top projects can't go they will be invited to compete!

Maya and Tyler's documentary received a 98% superior rating- because Dan Seavey was a pirate of the Great Lakes and not specifically only Illinois they could only showcase their project at the state level.

Jenna and Juliana's project got a 95% superior rating. I was told their balloon frame housing missed nationals by two points. I am still waiting for Matthew and Jeromey's final scores - they also received a superior rating for their website.

Competition was absolutely fierce. I was so impressed by the scholarship and dedication seen amongst our students AND students statewide. I was happy seeing so many people love and breathe History.

I am beyond grateful for such wonderful students and colleagues - special shout out to the parents who also made yesterday smooth and such fun. Thank you to everyone who helped with History Fair - giving up your class time, helping judge - bringing your classes to the fair - it is appreciated so much.

- Ms. Siegel

Congratulations to the following students for advancing to History Fair State Competition. Out of the eight projects submitted to regionals, six of them won the privilege of heading to Springfield, IL on May 5th to compete for Nationals this June.  Students are incredibly excited, and we look forward to a strong SAA showing.

• Ellie:  Myra Bradwell Paper (Superior Blue Ribbon)
• Tyler N. and Maya:  Dan Seavey: Pirate of the Great Lakes documentary
• Sophie: 1918 Influenza and its Impact on Healthcare Today Documentary
• Jenna and Juliana: Balloon Frame Housing Exhibit
• Jeromey and Matthew: Daniel Williams and Provident Hospital Website (Superior Blue Ribbon)
• Emily and Izzy: Chicago: The City that Turned Tragedy to Triumph Documentary 

Way to go, SAA!

Congratulations to the following students for advancing to History Fair Regionals at Lane Tech High School, taking place this Saturday, April 9th. Students will showcase their projects and enjoy the experience of fellow historians and students from all over the Chicagoland area.  If any of these students progress to state, how wonderful!  If not, we still have lots to be proud of as the overall experience was gratifying enough.

• Ellie:  Myra Bradwell paper
• Tyler and Maya:  Dan Seavey: Pirate of the Great Lakes documentary
• Sophie: 1918 Influenza and its Impact on Healthcare Today documentary
• Jenna and Juliana: Balloon Frame Housing exhibit
• Jeromey and Matthew: Daniel Williams and Provident Hospital website
• Emily and Izzy: Chicago: The City that Turned Tragedy to Triumph documentary
• Mary Catherine, Elena and Suzann: Impact of Jane Byrne on Chicago documentary
• Elizabeth: Suburb and Railroad Development exhibit

Reporting to you live from University of Maryland in College Park! What an amazing experience here at National History Fair.  It is wonderful being surrounded by so many talented students and people dedicated to the advancement and preservation of History and historical studies.

After the first few days at Nationals and after both student interviews- we were thrilled to find out that both Zoë and Katie had qualified to the finals for their respective projects!

In the end, Zoë's paper and Katie's documentary both earned them a 10th place finish in the nation--- a top ten finish for both students! An incredible achievement.

This was out of the 90 projects in each category that made it to Nationals- and the hundreds of projects that had previously qualified at the State level in May.  Top 10 out of the top 90 for both- go SAA.

We are so happy and proud of Katie and Zoë and truly represented SAA with pride.

Attaway, SAA!  Thank you all for your support and dedication and enjoy your summer.

Smiling,

Ms. Siegel

I am thrilled to share our experience today at the History Fair State Competition in Springfield, Illinois.

Zoë's paper was named one of the top two papers in the state.  She will go to Nationals in DC this June!

Katie's documentary was one of the top two chosen to go to Nationals in the individual documentary category! She has also been awarded the opportunity to go to DC.

Annelise and Daphne both had incredible performances.  Annelise's paper earned a blue ribbon superior rating.  Daphne's documentary was one of the top six documentaries in the state and also received a blue ribbon superior rating.  Though not advancing to Nationals, their efforts and scholarship throughout this process has truly been amazing.

We are so excited to continue this journey and represent SAA with pride at the History Fair Nationals in DC this June.

Thank you everyone who made History Fair a wonderful experience this year.


Ms. Siegel