Le Mars Community High School student Palani Permeswaran receives his award for his first place historical paper in the senior division at the National History Day competition in Sioux City. [Click to enlarge]

Le Mars Community Schools will send 11 students to the National History Day state competition in Des Moines on April 28.

Forty-seven Le Mars Community Middle School students and one Le Mars Community High School student participated in the Northwest AEA National History Day district contest held on March 14, with the 11 chosen for advancement to the state competition.

The students and their projects competing at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines are:

Le Mars Community Middle School students who will compete in the National History Day state competition April 28 are, front row (from left) -- Becca Clay, Yashila Permeswaran, Abby Barrett, Rachel Meredith and Hannah Steen. Back row -- Morgan Dodson, Gabe Rahn, Alex Murphy, Jack Becker and Jarod Ernst. [Click to enlarge]

Senior Division

* Historical Paper

Palani Permeswaran - "The Tuskegee Experiment: A Compromise to Overcome the Conflict of African Americans in the Army Air Corps"

Junior Division

* Historical Papers

Yashila Permeswaran -- "Women's Army Auxiliary Corps: A Compromise to Overcome the Conflict of Women in the Army"

Abby Barrett -- "The Little Rock Nine"

* Web Sites

Morgan Dodson -- "The Treaties of Fort Laramie"

Alex Murphy -- "The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Compromise Which Avoided Nuclear Conflict"

* Individual Documentaries

Hannah Steen -- "The Indian Removal Act of 1830: The Conflict and Compromise of the Trail of Tears"

Becca Clay -- "Rosie the Riveter: Conflict and Compromise for Women in the Workforce"

* Individual Exhibits

Gabe Rahn -- "The Korean War: The Conflict and Compromise of the Forgotten War"

Rachel Meredith -- "Darkness Over Denmark: Danish Resistance to the Holocaust"

* Group Exhibits

Jarod Ernst and Jack Becker -- " The Cuban Missile Crisis: When the Cold War Heats Up"

Theme for the 2008 National History Day project is "Conflict & Compromise in History."

The students are under the direction of Jeanne Rust, Le Mars Community Schools Challenge instructor.

National History Day (NHD) is an academic enrichment program that helps students discover historical issues, ideas, people, and events. This year-long academic adventure fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and their love for history.

As students work on their project they will develop their ability to complete extensive research; critically analyze and develop historical conclusions about information they have discovered in a variety of sources; and present and defend their interpretations in a critical, yet creative, forum.