Segwick Student Wins National History Day Award

Connecticut had its strongest showing this year, sending several West Hartford students, including second place silver medalist Sam Porcello, to National History Day at the University of Maryland recently.

Twenty-five students from Sedgwick Middle School presented at the CT History Day District Competition in Torrington. King Philip, Bristow and Hall also sent students to the district competition, according to Sedgwick Quest teacher Jennifer Hunt. 

Eight Sedgwick students went on to also compete at the state level. Among them, Sam Porcello, who created an exhibit called The Hartford Circus Fire: A 10 Minute Turning Point Sparks Lasting Change, and Alanna Uthgenantt with her individual performance Harriet Beecher Stowe: “The Little Lady That Started This Great War?” placed first at the state competition and went on to compete at the University of Maryland. Before heading to the national competition, Alanna also performing at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Birthday Celebration.

Sam Porcello of Sedgwick Middle School earned the National History Day second place silver medal plus a $500 prize for his work. He also represented CT at the National Museum of American History for an evening celebration featuring exemplary projects from each state, Hunt said.

"Participation in National History Day is incredibly rigorous, academic work.  For the first time, Connecticut claimed three top national awards. West Hartford has sent students for the past five years, but this year was unprecedented “sweet success” for us," Hunt said. 

Bristow Middle School student Jessie Xu was also competing with her documentary on Wangari Maathi.