Miep Gies

You have heard a lot about Science Fair recently and there is still more to go...but have you heard about History Fair?

I didn't know about History Fair until last year. Apparently, it is a huge deal. I wouldn't say it is bigger than Science Fair, but I do think it takes more work to prepare for it. Each year, the people in charge choose a theme. Last year the theme was 'Exploration, Encounter, Exchange'. June did a project about the Mormon Battalion. There are many options of how you can submit your project; paper, exhibit, documentary, website, or performance. All the kids were required to do the paper, so most people submitted theirs as their project. June did that as well. There is a day set aside where the kids miss school (much like Science Fair) and they present their projects at UVU and are judged, with an awards ceremony at the end.

I was not exactly sure about how it all worked last year. I did come to have lunch with June, but I missed most of the displays because I arrived there later in the day.

This time around the theme was 'Taking a Stand in History'. Projects can be done in groups and Hannah and June decided to work together. This is great because it means they share the work, but it is also harder because it means getting together often. (Remember how Hannah was here for St. Patrick's Day? That was a normal occurrence. There were many late night.)

The girls chose to do their project on Miep Gies, the woman who helped hide Anne Frank and her family in the annex. They decided to do an exhibit, which is usually a Tri-fold board, but you aren't limited to that. June and Hannah decided to be ambitious and make a spinning pillar of info for their display.

It was good to see them do a little internet searching to create a revolving base and you'd better believe that Tyler was excited to help with a project that meant more power tools for him.

It took a little while to decide on how to build it. With a combined effort of brain power, we decided on foam core, runners on the bottom to slide the pieces into (made out of foam core as well) and velcro on the inside to hold it together. Then the girls just had to design four panels full of information. I feel like it was a little word heavy, but I was impressed with the research. Check out the finished design. (There is a portrait of Miep Gies on one of the panels that Hannah drew with oil pastels.)

After weeks of work, it was the big day. I took the girls over bright and early so they could assemble their exhibit.

Here is a picture later in the day. You can see how the tables are now full of displays. They went around three sides of the room. So much hard work in one area, and that isn't even counting the website, performances, papers, and documentaries.

Judging took place throughout the day. I came back to have lunch with June, but the campus was closed for Spring Break, so we had to go eat elsewhere, but we returned for the award ceremony. Here are the girls waiting for it to start. Lauren is dressed up fancy because she did a performance.

They did all the other categories before exhibit. Papers/Essay is usually a large category. In fact, they told kids that they couldn't enter this category unless they had placed last year. They didn't want to be swimming in Essays. Lauren got first place in performance, with her sister Emily. Lots of kids from June's class and school did very well. I believe the boys won the website category.

Exhibit has so many entries that it is impressive to get an award. There are some extra awards from outside sources. I believe Kenzie got an award for doing a colonial project. (She got money for that.) Then they were calling the top three winners for group displays and June and Hannah came in 3rd place!

Good job girls!

Third place is actually an honorable mention. First and Second go on to State and third place is an alternate in case someone can't attend. Since first and second place were both girl groups from June's class, I think they won't need an alternate, but I was so proud of June and Hannah. We agreed 3rd place is best. You get recognized for all the hard work, but you don't have to do anything else.

It was really cool to see all the hard work come through for these girls.