Students had Strong Showing at State History Day

Updated May 11, 2018
May 8, 2018

This year saw the strongest showing of CDH History Day projects at State since the school began participating in the History Day competition. Eight projects from 17 Cretin-Derham Hall sophomores qualified to compete in State History Day at the University of Minnesota on April 28, 2018.  

For the first time in a few years, one project, Dolores Huerta: The 1965-70 Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, by students Michael Schwantes, Isabel Basurto Poferl and Vianca Grassi-Cueto, advanced to the National History Day Competition in June.

Of the eight projects entered in competition, five advanced to the final round and received awards. 

Group Exhibits 

Michael Schwantes, Isabel Basurto Poferl, and Vianca Grassi-Cueto
Dolores Huerta: The 1965-70 Delano Grape Strike and Boycott

Placed 2nd in state
Advanced to the National History Day Competition at the University of Maryland in June.
This CDH History Day project is the first in a few years to advance to Nationals.

Sam Huot and Jackson Perrault

1917 Saint Paul Streetcar Strike and Riots
Placed 3rd state

Won a topical award for Best Use of Minnesota Historical Society Collection.

Luke Wells and Max Hiestand
The Tiananmen Square Student Protests
Placed 4th in state

Group Website   


Sydney Sommerfeld and Olivia Esch

Jenson v. Eveleth Mines: Conflict Over Women in the Work Place

Placed 4th in state

Individual Exhibit 


William Soltis

Compromising Culture: Navajo Code Talkers 

Honorable Mention in state

All the participating students did excellent work and the History Day team is very proud of their accomplishments.  All of the groups that placed worked with Greg Poferl and Professor Peter Rachleff at the East Side Freedom Library. This library has been an excellent resource for our CDH students.

The CDH History Day Team is lead by Jenn Androsky, David Boisclair, and Kevin Flynn.