Seaside Middle School students demonstrated outstanding research, creativity, and historical thinking at the Monterey County History Day competition, hosted by the Lyceum of Monterey County. Several Seaside Middle projects were recognized with special awards, and multiple teams were named county winners, earning the opportunity to advance to the California State History Day competition this May at Sacramento State University.
Students in Seaside Middle School’s History Day Advisory class spent months researching, analyzing primary sources, and developing projects that explored important moments of reaction, reform, and revolution throughout history. Their dedication and hard work were evident in the strong showing at the county competition.
Among the projects advancing to the state competition are:
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Carson Weldon, Sergio Castellanos, Salvadordavid Ramirez, and Irvin Garcia Blancas for their Junior Group Performance, “Townshend Acts: The Revolution Against Taxation Without Representation,” which also received the National Society for Colonial Dames Award.
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Cora Dunwoody, Aniah Perry, and Ariella Harris for their Junior Group Exhibit, “Cage of Flames: How Deaths by Cage Crinoline Led to Reform in 1860s Women’s Fashion,” which earned the Women in History Award.
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Madeline Aquino Gasga for her Junior Individual Podcast, “The Mexican Revolution: Reactions to Economic Poverty,” which received the Turning Point in History Award.
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Mason Buchman, Jayce Hanson, Liam Heintz, and Juan Gonzalez Lopez for their Junior Group Website, “James McTaggart and the 86th Blackhawk Infantry Division.”
Additional Seaside Middle School students also earned special recognition:
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Geraldine Cruz Montano, Riya Kumar, and Stephania Hernandez Garcia received the Turning Point in History Award and Honorable Mention for their exhibit, “The Second Red Scare: The Rise of Communism.”
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Alexis Cruz Trinidad and Joncy Santiago Quinonez earned the Military in History Award for “Arsenal of Democracy: U.S.’s Reaction to the Attack on Pearl Harbor.”
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Alexandra Casas and Alondra Casas received the Turning Point in History Award for “La Raza Unida Party: Rise and Legacy of Chicano Power.”
Students Amy Guevara and Jaeylynn Cervantez also participated with their project “Tylenol Murders: A Crisis Reforming the Drug Industry,” contributing to a strong overall showing by Seaside Middle School.
The success of these students reflects months of preparation and mentorship from dedicated educators. Special thanks go to teacher Caitlin Aleru for leading the History Day Advisory class, Natalie Constable for supporting students in the performance category, and Chance Coates for advising multiple student projects.
Seaside Middle School now looks forward to supporting its county-winning students as they refine their projects and represent their school and community at the California State History Day competition in May.
Congratulations to all Seaside Middle School students who participated and showcased their curiosity, critical thinking, and passion for history.