Small school a powerhouse in history

~ For 15 years in a row, Risco has taken the award for most winning entries at History Day.

In the tiny Risco School District, champions aren't made on the football field or the basketball court. They're made at the annual regional History Day contest at Southeast Missouri State University.

On Friday, Risco students took home the sweepstakes award for the 15th consecutive year. The award recognizes the school district with the most winners in the district competition.

"They are virtually the undisputed kings of History Day," said Dr. Joel Rhodes, an assistant professor of history at Southeast and organizer of the district competition.

That's no small accomplishment. The small school district in New Madrid County has about 200 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

About 60 middle, junior and senior high school students or more than a fourth of the school system's entire student body participated in Friday's daylong competition at the University Center in Cape Girardeau.

More than 500 students from 25 schools in 19 counties competed, submitting nearly 270 entries.

Some middle-school students participated, but most of the competition involved junior high and high school students.

The students competed in five categories: exhibit, documentary, performance, historical paper and Web site.

Winners move on to state competition in Columbia, Mo. Winners there will advance to the national contest at the University of Maryland. The Web site category won't become part of the national competition until 2008, Rhodes said.

The national theme of this year's contest is "Taking a Stand in History."

Some of the students wrote essays and displayed exhibits on familiar themes like civil rights and the Vietnam War. Others focused on historical characters and events that are less familiar.

At Risco, expectations are high. Students say the winning tradition forces them to work harder to make sure the streak continues.

More students participate in History Day competition than play football at some other schools, said Michael Murphy, who teaches history in grades eight through 12 at Risco.

His students, he said, don't have to compete in History Day. "I don't make them do this," he said.

But many look forward to competing. For them, the only question is what type of history project they are going to submit either in groups or as individuals.

History Day brings pride to the tiny school system. So much so that many of Murphy's former students -- veterans of past competitions -- come back to help.

"I have former students who come back to help wrap exhibit boards," Murphy said.

"We have a lot of community support."

Risco seniors Summer Payne and Jerry Hill, both 18, performed a seven-minute skit in the performance competition. Dressed in turn-of-the century dresses with flowered hats, their performance focused on "The Awakening," an 1899 book that helped paved the way for women's rights.

Payne said performing "makes you experience what went on back then."

This marked the fifth year that the two students have participated in History Day events. They have competed every year, except for their sophomore year, since seventh grade. Risco's tradition of winning only increases their desire to compete, they said.

On Friday, they took second place in the senior performance group category.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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