University Liggett School students earn top honors at Michigan History Day state championships

University Liggett School is proud to announce that several students earned top honors at the Michigan History Day state championships at Central Michigan University, with one project advancing to the national championships in June.

Sophomores Teresa Romanelli, Annabel Klaasen and Zaire Polk’s group presentation was one of two projects selected to advance to the national competition in Maryland in June. The trio’s presentation, titled, “The Gross Points of Grosse Pointe” details the disastrous effects of a prejudiced 1940s system that would rank prospective homeowners on a 100-point scale based on their race, religion, accent, swarthiness, education, and relationships. Their exhibit explores the buildup to its establishment, its abolition, and its long-term effects on the diversity of the Grosse Pointes today.

Fourth-grader Elliott Hemler was the state champion in the youth category in grades 3-5 for an individual documentary. The youth category does not advance to the national competition. Hemler also earned Best Entry in the Use of Primary Sources (youth division). His documentary explored how the Battles of River Raisin marked a turning point in the War of 1812. By looking at the event through both the Native American and United States perspectives, Hemler exhibited how the event impacted different groups in different, yet similarly significant, ways.

Ninth-grader Enzo Rossi earned Best Entry in the Michigan History (senior division) category for his project about the introduction of the assembly line and the $5 work day as a turning point in history. Rossi’s project focused on the genius of Henry Ford and how the assembly line was transferred from the meat packing industry to the new car industry.

“This brings me great joy as a place-based history teacher and is a testament to the power of our place-based approach,” said Chris Hemler, Cynthia N. Ford Chair of History and the Social Studies.