Two seventh grade White Sands Middle School students were recognized for their historical documentary in the National History Day New Mexico State Competition, April 28. Jacob Paschal and Alexander Lyons finished third in
the junior division of the state competition after finishing second in the regional division held in Las Cruces, New Mexico, March 24.
Paschal and Lyons are the first students from White Sands School to place in the competition and the only students from Las Cruces to compete.
The theme for the 2017 competition was "Taking a Stand in History." Paschal and Lyons decided to focus their documentary on George Washington's Navy and
his decision to use ships to attack British supply lines in order to gain needed supplies for his troops and denying them from his enemies.
"We wanted to do our presentation on Washington because in general he was a
great leader and he did take many stands," Lyons said. "It definitely taught
us a lot about George Washington. The research was also very intense."
Paschal said he and Lyons knew they wanted to focus on George Washington but
his father, Master Chief Petty Officer Eric Paschal greatly influenced their
decision to focus on the Navy's inception.
"I did influence the decision and I learned a lot more than what I thought
I would," Eric said.
This was the first project of this magnitude Paschal and Lyons had ever
worked on. Paschal said the research aspect was very intense and reminded
him of a science fair project. The student's documentary focused on racial
division and women's rights. At first they had anticipated doing a
PowerPoint presentation and then transitioned to a documentary. Paschal said
he wants to continue making films in the future.
"He did most of the technical work and we both looked up the music and
looked up the facts on many sites," Lyons said.
"We wanted a presentation that we could add our own little effects to,"
Jacob said.
During the local competition the team was also recognized with a $50
monetary award by the Fort Bayard Historical Preservation Society. They were
also invited to present their documentary to the Daughters of the American
Revolution group. Less than a dozen students from White Sands School
competed and Paschal and Lyons were the only students from the school to
place and move on to state.
As third place winners in the state competition, Paschal and Lyons serve as
the runner-up for the national competition held in Washington, D.C., June 11
to 15. For the 2017 competition the students couldn't begin on their project
until January. Eric said usually students are allowed to work on the
projects at the beginning of the school year, however White Sands School
didn't hear about the competition until the December 2016 timeframe. In
other areas of New Mexico, like Silver City, students have the option to
work on their projects as an elective for the entire school year.
"We proved you don't need a whole school year to have a winning project,"
Paschal said.
The theme is already out for next year, but the students aren't allowed to
work on their projects until the beginning of the next school year, August
2017. Paschal and Lyons said they don't know what their topic will be for
next year's event but they will definitely be starting on it earlier than
last year.
"I really hope we can make it to nationals next year," Lyons said.