History Isn’t Just Something That’s Studied; It’s Made

MS: Last Thursday six students from The Catherine Cook School joined hundreds of other junior historians from around the state of Illinois to compete in the Illinois State History Expo in Springfield, Illinois. Each student submitted a Chicago-related project under the National History Day theme Innovation in History: Impact and Change.


Seventh grader Brigid Freed competed with her Individual Historical Exhibit titled Schwinn Bicycle Innovations. She explored the impact of the bicycle, specifically Schwinn and Co., on Chicago and society at large. Seventh grader Blue Stevenson completed her Individual Historical Exhibit on The Ferris Wheel: The World’s Greatest Ride. During her research, Blue made her own impact on the history of the Ferris Wheel by proposing a marker be placed at the site of the original Ferris Wheel. The Univertisty of Chicago was excited about the idea, and pointed her to the Chicago Park District, who owns and manages that space. While there are formal proceedures and costs associated with placing a marker, the Chicago Park District likes the idea and has provided information on next steps. Sometimes History Fair isn’t just about investigating history, it’s about making it!


Three of our eighth grade students also received special recognition at the State Expo, earning ribbons for superior level projects:

• Davey Keegan Barry for his Individual Documentary The History and Innovations of the Chicago Transit Authority.

• Nour Hatoum for his Individual Historical Exhibit Open Heart Surgery: A Revolution in Medicine

• Brett Jacobson for his Individual Historical Exhibit The Reversal of the Chicago River


Only two projects in each of the History Day project categories qualify to continue to the National History Day competition in June at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. In the category of individual documentary, Lane Lubell is one of only two Junior Division documentaries to advance to the National History Fair with his film: The History & Legacy of the Chicago Blue. Congratulations, Lane!


History Fair is a year-long project for all 6th through 8th graders. The success of these six students has inspired the middle school community to continue to persevere in pursuit of excellent work.

Lane advances to National History Competition

For a person that walks everywhere I go, I have to say Wednesday was a very long day and night of driving. We left Southfield, Michigan after a beautiful and touching event honoring Shirley.  By the time we got on the road, it was a Little after 3:00pm. We had planed to go home to Chicago that evening, then get back on the road to Springfield early that morning, but the more we looked at the logistics, the less that plan appeared to make sense. That left us with no real choice other than to go straight to Springfield, and a Midnight arrival.

We got up, got to the convention site (It had all the feel of a fencing tournament only without the fencing) O.K. call me a Tech Snob; but I expected them to have a smart Board, or at least spring for a 42" monitor. But no, just one 16" laptop (Windows XP).

Any of these kinds of tournaments, if nothing else teach you Patience. There is an awful amount of waiting. That said, the judges seems nice and in good spirits, as did the other kids there for the event. It was clear they had all put in the time, and all deserved to be proud of their work.

I think I might have been less bothered by the waiting if any one of the 16 Pop machines worked- no such luck.

We did finally get to go out to lunch with the other Catherine Cook families. I have said this before, but Lane is so lucky to be surrounded by these kids. They are so supportive of each other. I must admit It will be difficult not to be in the constant company of this group.

After several hours of waiting, we found that Lane was one of 4 that made it to a Run-off stage. Of that 4, two would go to represent Illinois in the national event.

The awards ceremony, while less than 45 minutes, seemed to drag on for hours. Of course the category of Individual Documentary was last. Lane was pacing like a caged tiger on crack. But the very last award, very last name was a poorly pronounced "Lane Lubell"

Lane advances to National History fair competition in Washington DC.

I was very proud of him, Ilene was excited, but I think his history teacher "David Harris" was the most excited. With that kind of support coming form his teachers, it's little wonder Lane is doing well.