2023-05-17
Wide range of subjects presented by students at regional heritage fair
STORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN MCBAIN
BRIDGEWATER – Fifty-four students from around the South Shore showed off their research skills at the annual regional school heritage fair held at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre May 5.
The students, ranging from grades 4 through 9 had earned their spot at the regional fair, by doing well at their local school fairs. The top eight at the regional fair move on to the provincial event being held June 8-9 at Saint Mary's University.
Co-organizer Tony Eisnor said, "everything from an organizational point of view went well." Eisnor has been involved with heritage fairs for the past 22 years and nine of those at the regional level and took note of the wide variety of subjects tackled from family history to the history of curling through to the history of the RCMP.
Students were with their projects scattered around the top floor of the LCLC and answered questions, testing the student's knowledge of their project from three of 18 judges that were tasked with choosing the best-of-the-best.
Members of the public could attend in the afternoon to browse the projects.
Students in attendance represented Chester Area Middle School, Bridgewater Junior High School, Newcombville Elementary School, Pentz Elementary School and Hebbville Academy.
As well, students from Lockeport, were in attendance. Eisnor explained they were invited to join the students at the LCLC, because no regional fair was held in their school division, the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE) and they will automatically get a berth in the provincial event.
He made note that the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE), is one of only two or three held in the province this year.
Along with choosing the top eight to move on to the provincial level, there were many other awards to be won through the young citizens program and through local sponsors.
Prize money for the regional fair was donated by NS Heritage Fairs 2023. The best in fair project earned $100 and a plaque, while the second through eighth place finishers earned $50 and a recognition plaque.
The best in fair award was given to Daksh Singh, of the Bridgewater Junior High School (BJHS) whose project was on Canada's Forgotten History: Residential Schools.
Makayla Lowe of Hebbville Academy (HA) earned second place honours for her project: History of the Jingle Dress.
Third place was earned by Benjamin Wile of BJHS who did his project on: Victory at Vimy.
Fourth place went to Anna Countway of Chester and Area Middle School (CAMS), who did her project on Myrtle Cook.
Fifth place went to Rowan Gray of Bayview, who did his project on Jacques Cartier.
Sixth place went to Maggie Huskilson of HA, who wrote on: The Move to a new Life.
Seventh place went to Walker Comstock of BJHS who did his project on; Looking through the lens of Paul Rockett.
Earning eighth place was Addison Smith who did her project on: March Forward! History of the RCMP.
Nine winners were also chosen as Young Citizens' award winners. They will now submit a four-minute video explaining their project to the national competition.
Winners were: Benjamin Wile, Daksh Singh, Addison Smith and Alison Slauenwhite of BJHS; Maggie Huskilson and Makayla Lowe of HA; Aila Sarty of Bayview and Maddy Taylor and Bethany Stuart of Lockeport. Each winner received a plaque and a certificate.
Other winners and their awards were: Arlan Amaya, Bayview, Canadian Heritage Award; Daksh Singh, Cross-Cultural Understanding Human Rights Award; Rowan Gray, Bayview, Explorer Award; Elliott Penney, BJHS, French Language award; Makayla Lowe, Hebbville, Indigenous History award; Jasmine Ghaffari, Bayview, Women's History/Herstory award; Benjamin Wile, BJHS, Veterans Award; Sophia E.D. Wentzell, Hebbville, Honourable Mention.
As well, top students from each level were chosen.
Student Choice Awards: Grade 5 - Maggie Huskilson, Hebbville Academy; Grade 6 – Alice Chapman, CAMS; Grade 7 – Aila Sarty, Bayview; Grade 8 – Olivia Landry, BJHS. These winners each received a medal, various museum passes and a T-shirt.
