The girls wore authentic Civil War era clothing and performed in character as Rose Greenhow and Belle Boyd. They created their own script after extensive research, using primary documents. They researched the women’s original writings so they could quote directly from their experiences.
In all categories, entries are judged by historical accuracy, relevance to theme, and historical analysis. “This contest prepares the participants well for upper-level research and writing,” said Lyon English teacher and NHD advisory, Beverly Bradley. Though the two young ladies performed flawlessly, they did not make it to the national finals. “They were very competitive, however, considering the challenging competition from hundreds of entries, with each state represented,” Bradley said. Bradley chaperoned the girls’ trip. In addition to the contest, the girls enjoyed a whirlwind educational tour of Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. They toured the Capitol, visited the Library of Congress (especially enjoying the Thomas Jefferson Library), and took a cruise up the Potomac River to explore Mt. Vernon. Other days were spent at the various Smithsonian Museums and sightseeing national monuments. “This was a wonderful educational experience for these girls,” stated Bradley. Thanks to so many contributions, both large and small, the girls were able to cover their basic expenses on the trip. The Moapa Valley Rotary Club deserves special recognition for its generous contributions, which made the trip possible. |