Local students shine in history competition

Jacob Merrell (left), C.J. Adams and Nolan Tichener (front) display their history competition medals.

Two local students will be heading to the finals in National History Day competition after racking up a victory in state competition.

Junior C.J. Adams and sophomore Jake Merrell of Sisters High School placed first in last month's senior finals held at Willamette University in Salem after winning earlier regional competition in Madras.

The pair performed "The Life of Sir William Wallace" and will compete in next month's finals at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, set for June 9-13.

"Both boys did a wonderful job," said Carla Merrell. "We want them to give their best next month at finals."

This year's History Day theme is "Reaction, Revolution and Reform" and a major sponsor is the History Channel (http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/).

Adams, who lives in Camp Sherman, is competing for the fifth time at National History Day. This is the first time for his partner, Merrell, who lives in the Sisters area.

"We're looking forward to June," said Adams. "We started working on our project last September and during spring break we went to Scotland and visited several castles including Loch Leven where William Wallace had been."

"We received superior ratings from all the judges at the State finals," said Merrell. "Our parents helped with costuming and creative suggestions. Mr. (Boyd) Keyser (SHS principal) let us do an independent study for a half credit at school."

Both young men indicated an interest in teaching after completing their schooling.

There were also finalists from Camp Sherman's Black Butte School.

Sixth grader Rebecca Lovegren took second place in the junior division at Salem with her table presentation "Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Revolt" and qualified for the national finals.

Nolan Tichener, another sixth grader, took second place in the video competition with his production, "Eunice Shriver and the Special Olympics," a junior individual documentary. He and his mother, Pam Tichener, will be traveling to College Park with the other competitors next month.

The finals next month in Maryland draw the two best in each category from all 50 states.

"Competition can get pretty tough," said veteran Adams, "but we're ready for the challenge."

There will be local fund-raising events include a pancake breakfast and other activities to help send the competitors back east next month.