Mr. Hilgren's Page

STATE HISTORY DAY CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO CHATFIELD STUDENT

Freshman Bailey Hilgren took home first place in the Minnesota History Day competition in the senior individual documentary division. She beat out 28 other projects from around the state to take top honors. Her project on the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco, analyzes the work  of Exploratorium founder Frank Oppenheimer to create a positive role for science museums in helping people of all backgrounds understand science and the world around them.

Juniors Katie Winslow and Maggie Kiel finished in fifth place with their senior high group performance about the Gibson Girl and mass marketing through magazines in the early 1900s.

Freshman Merissa Wellman and Mary Simpson received honorable mention in the senior group documentary division with their project on Frank Lloyd Wright and his innovative architectural style.

A total of ten ninth through twelfth grade students competed in the State History Day competition at the University of Minnesota on Saturday May 1st. Five of these students made it into the final round of competition earning them Honorable Mention.

Other state participants included senior Tia Gurtner, junior Blaire Benike, sophomore Alex Paulson, and freshman Anna Welby and Shoshana Kosnopal.

History Day is a regional, state and national competition which requires students to conduct historical research on a theme in history. Students compete in junior (6-8) and senior (9-12) divisions, as well as in categories of exhibits, media / documentaries, papers, and performance. This is the

Sixteenth  year Chatfield has competed in the History Day competition. Tom Hilgren is the History Day coach.

The success of the History Day program in Chatfield is largely a result of the support provided it by a number of individuals and organizations. The Booster Club, Root River State Bank, and F and M Bank have all contributed financially or through grants allowing the program to meet equipment and material needs. Librarian Marsha Duffy provided much needed research assistance. Lee Becker and  Lori Knutson provided the classroom flexibility to encourage middle school students to participate. Parental support was, as always, an encouragement to students and advisor alike. Finally, the tremendous effort and endless hours put in by the students themselves is indicative of their commitment to academic excellence.