Frazer Students Participate In National History Day

For the first time in the school’s history, Frazer Public Schools participated in National History Day in Montana where senior Kalianna Blount, junior Takoa Old Person, freshman Lola Romero and eighth-graders Mariah Beston and Maci Fourstar-Sibley put together individual exhibits to display and discuss during Regionals in Miles City on Feb. 28. During this event, the senior division swept the Individual Exhibits category with Blount taking first place with “The Effects of Boarding Schools"; Old Person taking second place with “Pearl Harbor” and Romero taking third with “Trail of Tears.” Beston, with “Oregon Trails” and Fourstar-Sibley with “Discovery of Gold (Brazil)" participated in the junior division with individual exhibits, but did not place.

Blount, Old Person and Romero then traveled to Bozeman to participate in the State competition on April 6, where Blount took home first place for her individual exhibit, which allowed her to be selected as a National Qualifier for the 2024 National History Day in Montana program. The program will take place from June 9-13 at the University of Maryland, right outside of Washington, D.C.

Blount’s exhibit highlights the era when Natives were forced to assimilate in American culture through the mandatory boarding schools, losing their own identity. Her exhibit represents Native cultures’ disappearance and re-emergence in the modern era. In addition, her exhibit contained artwork she assisted in creating that is part of a display hosted by the Great Falls Urban Art Project and was displayed in the windows of the Great Falls Parking Garage.

“Only the top two students in each division/category go on to Nationals. Blount’s exhibit highlights the era when Natives were forced to assimilate in American culture through the mandatory boarding schools, thus losing their own identity,” explained eighth through 12th grade social studies/history educator Mary Zuchowski. “For our first year, this is a huge accomplishment and excellent opportunity for our students.”

National History Day is a nationally recognized academic enrichment program promoting the study of history in the schools. The program is modeled after science fairs and encourages students to take a creative approach to studying history. In Montana, the National History Day program is sponsored by the Education Department at Montana State University. Approximately 700 Montana students took part in the program this year. “National History Day is an excellent program that through hands-on experiences, today’s youth are better able to inform the present and shape the future. NHD inspires children through exciting competitions and transforms teaching through project-based curriculum and instruction,” stated Zuchowski.

The estimated cost to participate at Nationals is around $4,000 so Blount and Zuchowski is appreciative of any monetary assistance that can be provided to help them travel to compete. Payments can be addressed to Mary Zuchowski, Attn: NHD-Frazer, 7284 US Hwy 2, Wolf Point, MT 59201.

For further information, questions or concerns, Zuchowski can be contacted at 406-480-7199 and/or [email protected].