Seventh-graders Jordan D., Dominique S. and Jennifer T. won 5th place for their “Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement” exhibit at the state Florida History Fair at Tallahassee Community College on May 6. In addition, freshmen Julia Blackwell and Andrea Taggart and seventh-graders William P., Rohan S. and Rhys S. showed their own projects. World history teacher Christine Clark shared her thoughts on the students’ work.

“The kids did well,” she said. “There must have been 400 kids competing there. It was completely packed in there. So getting any award was great.”

Jordan D. said the award was really humbling.

“First I was disappointed that my team didn’t do better,” she said. “But then when I learned that we competed with 40 other teams, I was really proud of myself and the team.”

Jordan explained why her group focused on Martin Luther King Jr.

“Everyone knows Martin Luther King for his speeches,” she said. “But most people don’t actually know what he did or his accomplishments.”

Clark said that many students weren’t able to travel to the competition due to conflicts with End of Course tests.

“Quite a few students were finalists to go to the state level. We could have sent 14 students all the way to Tallahassee,” she said. “Hopefully, next year the dates will be better for kids.

Clark hopes that more students will participate in future history fairs.

“I want more high school students’ involvement next year. I already have the theme for next year’s competition,” she said. “It’s perfect for students who love history. There are so many competitions for math, science, English. Now there’s finally something for kids who love history.”

More information about next year’s Florida History Fair can be found at: http://www.edline.net/pages/West_Shore_JSH/Student_Information___Services/National_History_Day

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district websites.