Congratulations!

Congratulations to each and every member of the Illinois NHD 2006 delegation! You made this year an experience to remember and represented the very best of our state through your positive attitudes and historical scholarship.

A record-breaking TEN Illinois projects from 22 students qualified for the Finals and two additional projects earned special prizes. A special congratulations goes out to:

· Rahul Gorawara, 2nd place in Senior Papers, from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire for "Gautreaux vs. the Chicago Housing Authority." Rahul's teacher is Chris Salituro.

· Chelsea Farmer, 9th place in Junior Papers, from Ogden Elementary School in Chicago for "Architectural Preservation Pioneer." Chelsea's teacher is Eric Calderon.

· Keli Walsh, 4th place in Junior Individual Documentaries, from St. Luke Academy in Chicago for "Standing Up for Chicago." Keli's teacher is Laura Abrahamson. "Standing Up for Chicago" also won Outstanding Junior Division State Entry from Illinois.

· Peter Contos, 12th place in Junior Individual Exhibits, from Polymath Academy Home School in Chicago for "Standing Against Stereotype: The Liberation of Aunt Jemima." Peter's teacher is Leslie Contos.

· Abigael Morris, Madeline Piller, Isaac Piller, Stevie Croisant, and Haley Sack, 5th place in Junior Group Performance, from Northbrook School in Mendota for "Radium Girls." The students' teacher is Susan Sack.

· Rachael Brown and Deen Rosenberg, 14th place in Junior Group Performance, from Ogden Elementary School in Chicago for "The Jewish Labor Committee." Rachael and Deen's teacher is Eric Calderon.

· Agnes Mazur, Callie McCune, and Mona Ghadiri, 7th place in Senior Group Documentary, from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire for "Carrying the Burden: The Story of Clyde Kennard." The students' teacher is Barry Bradford. "Carrying the Burden" also won the Outstanding Senior Division State Entry from Illinois.

· Gian Santos, 5th place in Senior Individual Exhibit, from Oak Forest High School in Oak Forest for "Justice through Science: Kameny's Pioneering Defense of Homosexuality."

· Montana Young and Ivan Favelevic, 13th place in Senior Group Exhibits, from Lincoln Park High School in Chicago for "Blacks in the White City: Taking a Stand at the Fair." The students' teachers are A. Ahmad and Jennifer Johnson.

· Felipe Rodriguez, Eliseo Martinez, Aracely Gutierrez, Sarah Peara, and Aracelli Gonzales, 11th place in Senior Group Performances, from East Aurora High School in Aurora for "Refugio Martinez: Taking a Stand in the Packinghouse Industry." The students' teacher is Cathy Bednar.

· Omar Mesina from Orozco Academy won the Jamestown Award for his Junior Individual Documentary "CORE." Omar receives an expenses-paid trip to the 400th anniversary celebration in Jamestown, Virginia.

· Finally, Brian Lis, Adrian Mikocewicz, Chris Ciszynski, and Jonathan Taub won the History Channel's Outstanding Senior Entry Tied to a Historic Site for their Senior Group Documentary "Maxwell Street Market: Taking a Stand for Preservation." The students attend Lincoln Park High School. The prize carries with it a $5,000 cash award.

A final congratulations to all of the students who represented Illinois this week. We are proud of you! See you in 2007!