Camp Sherman honors History Day winner

Last updated 6/29/2004 at Noon

Kelsey White and Toni Foster. photo by Conrad Weiler Kelsey White of Camp Sherman took first place honors in National History Day competition at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, this month.

Residents of Camp Sherman turned out for a big party at the General Store last Wednesday evening, June 23, to celebrate White's achievement.

"I was so surprised," said the Black Butte School (BBS) eighth grader. "We had just arrived back from the Redmond airport in the evening and my sister Lauren asked if the store was still open. We got out of the car and people were clapping and offering congratulations. It was wonderful."

The crowd had gathered on the outside patio deck and waited for darkness at 9 p.m. to view White's winning documentary "The Civil Rights Movement and Television's Impact."

The documentary weaves movie and TV clips from the 1950s and '60s into a fascinating story highlighting racial problems in the South.

This was the fourth time Kelsey White had competed in the event and proved her most successful outing.

"One of the highlights was meeting with Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. We talked and he gave me a signed copy of his autobiographical book," said White.

Forty-eight states had students entered in NHD events.

"You meet a lot of kids and we traded pins with all the participants. I collected all 48 states," White said. "The level of competition was tough and I was surprised to make it to the 14 finalists."

White also received a certificate, medal and check for $1,000 for her winning NHD effort.

"In the closing ceremony all participants march in a parade and our Oregon group tossed rubber ducks to the crowd," said Kelsey.

While back east, White got to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and saw the play, "Beauty and the Beast," in New York City.

Next year, White will attend Sisters High School.

Also honored during the festive evening was Nolan Titchener, who took honors for Best in State with his documentary "Indian Boarding Schools," which the audience viewed during the evening.