26 May 2011
Gaston Middle School Students Place Third at Texas National History Day Competition
DALLAS—Gaston Middle School students placed third at the Texas National History Day competition held earlier this month in Austin. Students competed with more than 1,200 students from across the state during the largest National History Day competition in its 31 year history.
Gaston students Kiara Simpson, Dheryl Batts, Alexis Louis and Paul Jones placed third in the Junior Group Performance with their presentation of "The State of Being Free: The Dred Scott Debate." Fellow student Juan Rojas received an honorable mention in the Junior Individual Exhibit for his entry "Peace for Our Time: The Failed Policy of Appeasement."
Benjamin Franklin Middle School student Will Wakefield was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award and second place in the Oral History division for his documentary "M14 vs M16."
In addition, Dallas ISD Social Studies Director Robert Edison was awarded the 2011 Clifton Caldwell Texas History Day Service Award for outstanding service in support of the National History Day program. Edison is credited with incorporating National History Day into the Dallas ISD curriculum, staff development and the High School Early Start Program. Under Edison's leadership, Dallas ISD's participation in the regional contest has grown from four campuses with 12 students to 23 campuses with 150 students during the last three years.