Vista Grande Students Make History at National History Day

Erika Swartz, left, Sydney Warner,
Sarah Staten, Justin Cervi,
and Bernie Graves

Four students were named state champs and another received a special award for her project as Vista Grande Elementary made the trek to the recent National History Day California competition in San Jose.

This year's theme was "Debate and Diplomacy" and all the students picked projects on historic events that matched the theme. Here are the winners:

• Sarah Staten, finalist and Japanese American History Award, Internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
• Bernie Graves and Justin Cervi, Co-Champion, Elementary Division, Group 2D Display, "Integrating Baseball: Successes, Failures and Consequences."
• Erika Swartz and Sydney Werner Co-Champion, Elementary Division, Group 2D Display, and a special award, "Hetch Hetchy: Water Source vs. Environmental Damage."

All five are in fourth graders in Abby Chambard's and Micheline Wagner’s classes at Vista Grande. For more information, contact principal Cathy Calcagno at (858) 496-8290 or mcalcagno@sandi.net.