Junior high students celebrate Women in History Month

HOULTON, Maine — Famous women in history were celebrated Monday at Houlton High School as seventh-graders held their annual Women in History Pageant.
The pageant started in 2002 and has been held annually as a way to recognize important women in history from around the world.
    “It is a researched based unit with several components,” explained teacher Karen Bouchard. “Each group is responsible for choosing a pre-recorded song that fits the personality and/or accomplishments of the woman they have chosen to research. This song is then played as the students make their way up on stage for the pageant.
“In addition, each group is responsible for using figurative language to write a metaphor or simile to describe the woman.  Each group must create a large artistic piece which must include many different elements, but that truly shows what this woman is famous for and the many accomplishments she has achieved in her lifetime.”
Finally, each group is responsible for writing an interview and talent piece, both of which are acted out on stage during the pageant.
“The talent piece must be an original poem, song, or skit written by the students that exemplifies why their woman is worthy of being remembered as a great woman in history,” she said. “One of the most important components of the project, however, is that students must learn to work cooperatively on a collaborative project which brings together students of various abilities and personalities. They are given a strict timeline of when the different components are due, and they must work together to meet the goals.”
Women highlighted in this year’s program were Pocahontas, Jane Austen, Queen Victoria, Florence Nightingale, Harriet Tubman, Emily Post, Gertrude Stein, Helen Keller, Julia Child, Rosa Parks, Shirley Temple Black, Grace Kelly, Barbara Streisand, Joan Benoit Samuelson and J.K. Rowling.
“We wanted to pick someone who was brave and adventurous,” said student Lauren Hogan. “We thought a nurse in the army would fit that role.”
Fellow student Kelly McLaughlin said she chose Shirley Temple Black because “I used to watch her when I was a little girl. She also was a very compassionate person.”
The group of Hogan, Boyd, Bartlett, Prosser and Beaton performed an entertaining skit on Florence Nightingale that featured a catchy rap song. Their performance earned first place in the pageant.
The skit for Julia Child, which featured the group of Pratt, Turner, Boyce, Carmichael, Drew and Tapley earned second-place honors, while the skit on Jane Austen, featuring Flewelling, McLaughlin, Fore, Brown, Emerson and Stoddard, won third place.
Students participating in the Women in History program include: Isaiha Littleton, Piper Flewelling. Lexi Hernandez, Zack Guiod, Hunter McLaughlin, Josh Upton, Kaya Silliboy, Abby Fore, Allix Hanson, Mattaoe Spencer, Tyler Brown, Justin Queen, Michael Holmes, Lexi Emerson, Tiffany Sunderlin, Samantha Grahn, Chris Stoddard, Dalton Trahan, Ares Rattray, Lauren Hogan, Connor Grant, Adam Casillas, Mariah Boyd, Sam Astle, Erika Fitzpatrick, Lexi Bartlett, Desiree Shannon, Allen Lord, Annah Prosser, Jonas Geiger, Billy Phillips, Josh Beaton, Sara Heath, Taylor Barnes, Gunnar Briggs, Lauren Eastham, Chelsea Gentle, Evelyn Pratt, Ben Boutilier, Garrett Ring, Kyle Turner and McKayla McGuire.
Also, McKaylee Michaud, Thomas Boyce, Samantha Montrose, Jillian Moran, Dillon Carmichael, Morgan Nelson, Emma Huot, Emma Drew, James Tapley, Amira Abouleish, Cameron Clark, Logan Cyr-Ellis, Aaron Sewell, Mariah O’Neal, Parker Brewer, Ryan Dee, Lily Hanning, Laura McEwen, Amber Ivey, Jacob Brown, Jordan Violette, Hunter Trecartin, Kelly McLaughlin, Carey Suitter, Gary Tucker, Wyatt Folsom, Noah Jackins, Natalie Hill, Megan Collett, Katie Condon, Nathan Bouchard, Angel Melvin, Jacob Conrad, Matt Moran, Logan Winslow, Justin MacDonald, Victoria Codrey, Carlton Tweedie, Garrett Putnam, Sydney Richardson, Ethan Hunt, Branden Pitts, Jacob Suitter, Jimmy Buzzell, Colby Tomah, Dante Bernabo.