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Crystal Johnson, (515) 281-6860
Sarah Oltrogge, (515) 281-4011

COLLEGE PARK, Md - Ten Iowa students captured the attention of America at the National History Day contest in College Park, Md. this week. Several scholars won top prizes with their documentaries, performances, exhibit displays, and papers.

Eight Iowa entries qualified for the national finals. Gabriella Green took first place with a junior individual documentary entitled "Solution to Hunger: Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and the Green Revolution." Green interviewed Borlaug at the World Food Prize activities last fall and presented her project to him in May. Green attends Alan Shepard Elementary; her teacher is Cindy Jansen.

"I think National History Day is a great program because it opens new doors into your education, then on top of that, it is a lot of fun," Green said.

Returning national champions Amy Paul and Katie Pauley again took first prize in junior group documentaries for "Grace Hopper: Expanding Computer Horizons." Paul and Pauley worked extensively with Dr. Sherman Naidorf at the Smithsonian Institution to obtain original documents pertaining to Hopper-a Navy officer and mathematician who revolutionized the field of computers. This week the girls were able to visit the Smithsonian to see collections related to Hopper. Paul and Pauley attend Indian Hills Jr. High in West Des Moines. Their teacher is Kathy Paul.

"We had so much fun," Paul said. "It's hard to describe what History Day means.it's people skills and research and writing."

"We learned perseverance and that you can shoot for and reach any goal," Pauley added.

First-year participant Stephen Frese of Marshalltown took the second place medal for his junior historical paper entitled "Wrestling with Reform: Iowa Coal Communities and the Transformation of Childhood." Stephen used the Labor Oral History Collection at the State Historical Society Library in Iowa City extensively in his research. Stephen's teacher is Lacinda Gillen; he attends Anson Middle School.

Other Iowa finalists included:

*Alex Cahill & Emily Green-Fifth place in senior group performance with "The Works Progress Administration: Our Business of Relief." Alex and Emily attend North Scott High School; their teachers are Richard Heiman and Chris Green. Both were also awarded the outstanding state entry in the senior division. "History Day has been a real supplement to my schooling," Green said. "I've learned much more than history-without it I feel there would have been a void in my education."

"History Day has been a very valuable and exciting experience in my life," Cahill added. "It enriches my learning by bringing the past alive."

*Elyse Lyons-Seventh place in junior individual performances with "Alice Hamilton: Friend of the Factory Worker." Elyse attends Indian Hills Jr. High; her teacher is Kathy Paul. She also was awarded the outstanding state entry in the junior division.

*Abigail Bowman-Eighth place in junior historical papers with "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: Reformer of Turkey." The Turkish Embassy also invited Abby to present this week. She attends Johnston Middle School; her teacher is Kathy Paul.

*Laura Westercamp-Eighth place in senior individual exhibits with "Battle of the Bottle: The Women, the Reaction, the Reform." Laura also presented her project at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. She attends Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids; her teacher is Deb Snook.

*Lauren Appley-Ninth place in junior individual papers with "Martha Graham: Revolutionary Genius of Modern Dance." Lauren attends Akron-Westfield School; her teachers are Renee Banks and Valorie Philips. "History Day rocks! We can get excited about history, research, our topic, and even competition," Appley said. "All I can say is that History Day is the greatest project I have ever done in my entire life."

National History Day serves nearly 700,000 students across the United States each year. NHD requires rigorous research, analysis, and creative presentation of historical conclusions. NHD in Iowa is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Iowa with major funding by the State Historical Society, Inc. and the American Legion of Iowa Foundation.

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