Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – Caitlin Hillyard and Amelia Browning of Central Academy in Des Moines won first place this week for their senior group performance at the National History Day contest in College Park, Md.

Sixteen other Iowa students earned national rankings and four others were recognized with special awards and a scholarship.

Forty-five students represented Iowa in the NHD national contest at the University of Maryland this week, competing against nearly 2,500 other national qualifiers from across the country with historical papers, exhibits, documentaries, and performances. This year’s theme was “Triumph and Tragedy in History.”

“Twenty-two of the 45 students representing Iowa were recognized in some way,” said Naomi Peuse, coordinator for NHD in Iowa. “I could not be happier. Iowans should be very proud of these amazing young people. Their research successes and extraordinary stories set them apart from others their age. What an amazing display of our state’s educational standards.”

Hillyard and Browning took home the gold medal and a $1,000 prize for their group performance “Something Good, Something Sad: The Legend of the Cherry Sisters,” which examined the role the infamous Iowa performers played in legal history by setting a precedence for libel and helping to secure freedom of the press. Hillyard and Browning were drawn to the topic for its comedic elements and became hooked when they uncovered its lasting impact on legal and journalistic history.

Matthew Wolf of North Scott High School in Eldridge received a half-tuition scholarship to the University of Maryland. Wolf participated with a senior group exhibit “Trails, Rails, and War: Tragedies and Triumphs of General Grenville M. Dodge.” With the help of his partner, Wolf conducted archival research at the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines. Wolf’s teacher is Chris Green.

Other Iowa students receiving honors at the NHD national contest this week include:

Annie Kjar and Jesa Wolthuizen of Akron-Westfield Community School, Akron placed fifth and won the Senior Division Outstanding State Award for their senior group performance “Triumph Over the Troubles: Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan, Bringing Peace to a Country Lost in Tragedy.” Their teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard.

Dianne Ferry of North Scott High School, Eldridge placed sixth for her senior historical paper “ ‘We Lead Others Follow:’ Buxton, Iowa—Its Triumph over Racial Inequality.” Her teacher is Chris Green.

Rachel Meredith of LeMars Middle School placed sixth and won the “Outstanding Military History award” sponsored by the Historical Miniature Gaming Society for her junior individual exhibit “Flying High and Clipped Wings: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.” Her teacher is Jeanne Rust.

Justine Jackovich of North Scott High School, Eldridge placed seventh for her senior individual exhibit “Billie Holiday: Triumphing Over Social Tragedies by Singing the Blues.” Her teacher is Chris Green.

Max Hawkins and Jane Hommerding of Central Academy, Des Moines placed seventh for their senior group documentary “Reinhard Heydrich: Assassination.” Their teacher is Tom Forsgren.

Jessica Salpor of Pella Middle School placed seventh for her junior individual exhibit “WASP: Flying to Help.” Her teacher is Jan Van Hemert.

Katherine Tindall of Akron-Westfield Community School, Akron placed ninth for her junior individual performance in “‘Deterred but not Defeated:’ The Duluth Tragedy and Triumph Over Racial Hatred.” Her teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard.

Brianne Hassman and Sara Blagg, home schooled students from Marshalltown, placed 12th and won the Junior Division Outstanding State Award for their junior group exhibit “NUNNA DAUL TSUNY The Trail of Tears: Tragedy and Triumph of the Cherokee Nation.” Their teachers are Karen Hassman and Diane Blagg.

Jaclyn Smith, Jayde Ostermyer, Emily Miller, Katlyn Mace, and Haley Coyle of Akron-Westfield Community School placed 13th with their group performance “Poster Children, Marching Mothers, and Polio Pioneers: A Tragic Disease and a Nation’s Triumph.” Their teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard.

Beau Dexter and Gabriella Green of North Scott High School, Eldridge won the History in the Federal Government Award sponsored by The Society for History in the Federal Government for their senior group documentary entitled “Herbert Hoover and the Triumph of Emergency Management in a Tragedy: The 1927 Mississippi River Flood.”

NHD is a yearlong, nonprofit education organization dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of history in elementary and secondary schools through publications and education programs. The program annually involves millions of people and makes history come alive for students across the United States. Through the program, students develop critical thinking and research skills by creating exhibits, performances, documentaries and papers they may enter in competitions at the district, state and national levels.

NHD provides educational services to teachers, including curricular materials and Internet resources, and annual teacher workshops and training institutes. More than 2,500 students from 49 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and the Department of Defense Schools of Europe participated in the 2007 NHD contest.

The NHD in Iowa program has been coordinated by the State Historical Society of Iowa since 1994 and is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Iowa, State Historical Society, Inc., American Legion of Iowa Foundations, Oberman-Beck Foundation and the Polk County Historical Society. More information about NHD in Iowa is available at www.iowahistory.org or by contacting Naomi Peuse at 515-281-6860 or naomi.peuse@iowa.gov.

The State Historical Society of Iowa is a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy and an advocate for understanding Iowa’s past. It identifies, records, collects, preserves, manages and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources. Its dual mission of preservation and education serves Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state.

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