Olivia Ellis– Mustangs Ahead

Mustangs Angel Potter (l) and Ava Ipjian represented LRHS at the state history fair

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – LRHS Mustang sophomore Angel Potter was awarded third place at the 2022 Florida History Fair.

The contest was held at Tallahassee Community College on May 1-3. On Monday, families and students were able to visit the Florida History Museum.

Potter said, “I was really surprised when they announced my name and in complete shock. When the initial shock wore off, I was extremely happy and excited.”

LRHS junior Ava Ipjian also qualified for the state history fair.  Both students wrote research papers.

Potter’s paper dealt with American women’s right to vote.  

“I picked my paper topic, the Silent Sentinels’ role in woman’s suffrage, because I am very passionate about women’s rights and the fight to gain more equality in America,” said Potter. “I knew that I wanted to do a women’s history topic, and upon discovering the Silent
Sentinels I realized that it fit perfectly for this year’s theme, Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, and Consequences.”

Ipjian said, “My project was about the science options on nuclear weapons and how they influence the public. I am excited that I am heading to the states as I worked hard on my paper and devoted a lot of time to this project.”

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The history fair is a year-long process at LRHS.  Students produce papers, exhibits, documentaries or performances for the Manatee County History Fair in the fall.  County officials recommend just a handful of projects for state participation.  Chosen students can then improve their projects for the higher level of competition.

While History Day is a day for students to show off their creativity, it also allows students to go deeper in history and learn more about events that are overlooked in history.

Ipjian said the demanding process was worth it.

“I learned valuable skills that I’ll use in my further studies, such as research skills, answering questions, and talking about my own work,” she said.

Potter said, “History is a fundamental part of society and culture; it shapes us and is the cause for future actions, preventing us from making the same mistakes we previously made.”