Campus Connection

Aditya Ailiani accomplished something about 1,200 Western Wisconsin students set out to do. The Onalaska High School student is a National History Day Champion. Ailiani earned the title sought by all the students who compete annually at the spring regional contest, an event that UWL has hosted since about 2000. He’s only the second Western Wisconsin student to win the national title.The first, Cody Haro, won in 2007. “Every year we get more students participating in our nine-county region,” says National History Day Coordinator Patricia Stovey, a UWL Associate History Professor. “But even for those who don’t become national champions, National History Day does so much for so many. For example, for many area youth, this is their first interaction with higher education and UWL.” Ailiani won the documentary category for high schoolers. His piece, “The Journey of Sugar: Neither Short or Sweet,” discussed the history of the sugar industry. Assistant History Professor Tiffany Trimmer, who is featured in the documentary, connected with Ailiani early in the process to help him find more sources and focus his arguments. “It’s the kind of partnership in the community we get excited about,” explains Trimmer. “[Ailiani] is a student who had an idea, did some research and wanted some extra guidance.” It’s become common practice for UWL faculty to work with National History Day competitors. But in addition, many UWL students also serve as mentors for the younger students throughout the region. They also judge at the local and regional competitions. “It’s a fine example of the Wisconsin Idea at work,” says Stovey. “School districts and students are tapping into our expertise and we’re helping develop students’ skills, like analytical thinking, writing and clear communication.” And Stovey says those skills are key, as not all of the participants become historians. “It’s not about that,” she notes. ‘It’s more about teaching those transferable skills, like finding and understanding sources, recognizing context, and persevering in their work that they can apply throughout their lives.”