Unravelling history
In an effort to get students to unravel the storied history of North Idaho, the Kootenai County Historical Preservation Commission is sponsoring an essay contest.
The contest, which is open to all public, private and home-schooled students living in Kootenai County who are in middle school or high school, challenges youth to find the stories behind one of four subjects. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the students who submit the bestessays, with the first place essays for middle school and high school earning a $250 award for each student.
"This is the first time this organization has ever done anything like this," said Robert Singletary, chairman of the Kootenai County Historic Preservation Commission. "Our traditional role has been dealing with historic sites and structures. But we wanted to do some expanding and get out into other areas that relate to that traditional role."
Students can choose to write about a structure, current or potential archaeological site, person or group of people, or an event in Kootenai County history. Singletary said the contest will push students to discover the vital role history plays in their everyday lives.
"If they can understand that early on, things will make much more sense to them," Singletary said. "There's a story connected to that building. It's not just a structure. If we can get the youth interested in our history, they can have some experience with it and pass that history on."
When it comes to determining which topic to write about, Singletary suggested that students contact local museums or ask their teachers for suggestions. Even just looking at the buildings they pass on a daily basis could generate a topic to research, he said.
"Some of those kids might discover a house or something out there that's not on the national historic register and should be," Singletary said. "Or an institution that's been around for a long time. Even their own school building and church has a history and story. For instance, if you have a kid who goes to the Presbyterian church, that's Coeur d'Alene's first church and was built in 1890."
If the essay contest is successful and generates a lot of student participation, it may become an annual event.
"The feedback to date has been very positive but we need parents, grandparents, principals, teachers, librarians and others to encourage the kids to participate to have any hope of achieving that goal," said Skip Fuller, contest committee chairman.
Essays must be emailed or postmarked by Oct. 31. Singletary directed those interested in participating to the complete rules and guidelines, which are posted at www.kcgov.us.