On Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13, students from Kutztown Area Middle School and High School competed at the state-level National History Day competition. Lead by advisor Carolyn Wasser, who graduated from Kutztown University on Saturday, the students were all wonderfully prepared and impressively well-informed on their topics.
Students began researching last August. Their efforts included interviews with notable authors and first person witnesses, visits to research archives, and wearing white cotton gloves to handle centuries old primary sources. Miss Wasser demonstrates maturity in the example she sets for students through her dedication and responsibility. Her passion for learning and willingness to spend countless hours guiding students show in the students’ results, and in their respect for her.
Kutztown Area High School Results
Maya Workowski (2017) won second place in senior individual paper and advances to Nationals for My Dear Sir, “They Simply Out-Spied Us,” The Culper Spy Ring’s Contributions to the American Revolution.
Grayce Berk (2020), Abigail Herrlin (2020), and Kaylen Leiby (2020) won second place in senior group exhibit and advance to Nationals for “Why Should We Be Cowards?”: Lucretia Mott and Her Religious Work to Gain Rights for Women and Slaves.
Abbie Boyer (2017), Emily Burch (2017), Logan Boyer (2020), and Zachary Watson (2020) won fourth place in Senior Group Exhibit for “Take My Child to a Safer Shore”: The Kraus Mission to Rescue Children from Nazi Threat.
Samuel Arnold (2018) presented a senior individual documentary Burglary: A New Form of Protest: The Catholic Left and Civil Disobedience during the Vietnam Era.
Kutztown Area Middle School Results
Raegan Loeb (2022), Caitlyn Lubak (2022), Sierra Pensyl (2022), and Taylor Sleboda (2022) won First Place in Junior Group Exhibits and advance to Nationals for “Man is Not Made Better By Being Degraded;” Dorothea Dix Advocates for America’s Mental Asylums.
Tristan Beck (2022), Sydney Burch (2021), and Emma Keller (2021) presented a junior group documentary “Solitude Leads Him Through:” Religion, Reform, and Rehabilitation at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Dominick Pizzelanti (2023) presented a junior individual documentary “The American Fuhrer:” Taking a Stand for German Americans…or Advancing Their Own Undoing?
Nationals will take place in Washington, D.C. on June 11 to 15.
