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Along with 440 other student historians from around Wisconsin, five Bangor students — Rachel Conger, Desiree Peters, Marlana Parker, Sarah Reigel and Brook White — took part in the state National History Day on Saturday, May 3.

The event, held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was part of a national history competition that will conclude at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., June 15-19. All 440 participants had been winners at regional competitions held around the state in April.

And, although none of the Bangor students moved on to the national finals in Maryland, the day was judged a success.

“It went well,” said Deon Michels-Bowe, social studies instructor at Bangor High School.

“The girls really enjoyed themselves. They liked talking to the judges and they were very impressed by the quality of the other entries.”

Conger and Reigel presented historical papers on Henry VIII and Joseph McCarthy, respectively. Parker and Peters did a group performance on the Cherokee Trail of Tears and White created a documentary on the conflict over public display of the Ten Commandments.

Michels-Bowe said that getting the whole group down to Madison in time proved to be a bit of challenge because of a schedule conflict. Some of the girls were involved in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Music Festival at UW-La Crosse the same day. After waiting for the girls to finish their performances, the group left from Bangor and got to Madison without much time to spare.

“Besides the competition itself, the girls got to see some of the campus, eat on State Street and even do a little shopping,” Michels-Bowe said.