History buffs are winners at state competition

Woodglen School eighth-graders Joseph Avallone, Jacob El-Zahr and Andrew Ranallo with their New Jersey History Day medals. Ranallo will represent the state next month in the national competition at the University of Maryland.

LEBANON -- Historically speaking, students at the Woodglen School know their stuff: eighth-graders Andrew Ranallo earned first place and Joseph Avallone and Jacob El-Zahr, third, at the New Jersey History Day competition held May 10 at William Paterson University.

New Jersey History Day is a yearlong program for students in grade 6 to 12. During the school year, students conduct their own research to prepare presentations based on the program's an annual theme, which this year was "Conflict and Compromise in History." The presentation could be made as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. The program culminates in a series of contests held at the regional, state, and national levels, where the students present their research.

At this year's state competition, Ranallo won for his website called "Piece by Piece: The Berlin Wall." He will represent the Woodglen School and New Jersey this June at the National History Day competition being held at the University of Maryland. Avallone earned third place for his performance of "The Race Space: A Comeback Victory," and El-Zahr earned third place for his exhibit, "The Complexity of Peace in the Holy Land."

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