College students help middle-schoolers answer the 'big questions'

Seventh-grader Garrett Frederick of Chadron put this question to the test in his Pursuit of Knowledge Honors Fair exhibit, “Alternative Resources.” The fair, which pairs Chadron area middle school students with college mentors, was Saturday, March 27, in the Chicoine Atrium of the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at Chadron State College.

Frederick attached tubes to the fork lift and other parts of the wooden “Cat” replica and used water pressure operated by syringes to move them. He said he was thinking about different kinds of energy when he decided on his topic. With the help of Chadron State student mentor Jeremiah Vardiman of Woodland Park, Colo., Frederick won in the most creative category.

Vardiman also mentored eighth-grader Nathan Brodrick, who won the best researched category with his “Medieval Time” presentation, complete with a sword. Last year Brodrick won the most original award.

Logan Phelps, fifth grade, won most original this year with a project about the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 200-kilometer system in South Vietnam which was used for the Viet Cong’s resistance. He was mentored by Dustin Harris of Wauneta.

Best verbal presentation went to fifth-grader Leanne Hinrichs with her presentation, “The Brain.” Carrie Dunn of Falls City mentored Hinrichs.

Fifth-grader Gina Jackson won the best visual presentation award about origami. Mentors Misty Cooper of Columbus and Aliecia Hickmore of Parker, Colo., folded paper bunnies while Jackson told a story about the Japanese art form.

Other middle-schoolers and their mentors were: Eric Anderson, “Solar Oven,” mentored by Harris; Nathan Cochran, “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,” mentored by Corey Wasserburger of Fort Worth, Texas; Alaina Jackson, “Evolution of the Modern Horse,” mentored by Lisa Weedin of Hampton and Breanne Thompson of Sidney; Tori Kent, “Primates of the World,” mentored by Adrea Clouartre of North Platte and Ansley Mick of Bayard; Rosie Lenzo, “Animals of the Rainforest,” mentored by Andria Daniels of Gering and Staci Ganje of Gillette, Wyo.; and Macy Roberts, “Little House in the Big Woods,” mentored by Erin Legerski of Rock Springs, Wyo., and Jill Gallenberg of Douglas, Wyo.

This was the sixth year for the fair, a Chadron State student project. Corinna York, a junior from Douglas, Wyo., has coordinated the event the past two years.