Four Haines eighth-graders have scored high enough at the statewide History Day competition to qualify for national competition in Washington, D.C. on June 9-13.

Jordan Stigen won second place in documentary for her movie, “Pliable Plastics That Changed the World.” Jonathan Shaw won second place for his website, “Building America By Rail.” Olivia Wing and Bozhi Sebens won first place in junior group entries for their website, “Caring for the World’s Children.”

First and second-place finishers at the state level qualify for the national competition.

Middle school social studies teacher Lisa Andriesen said typically between 30 and 40 Alaskan students qualify for the national competition.

Haines junior high students began participating in the History Day competition in the late 1980s. The competition also is open to high school students. Andriesen said the statewide competition is becoming more keen as more Anchorage-area schools are participating each year.

This year’s competition was, “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas and Events.”

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