Sacred Hearts School students captured many of the top prizes at the Maui District History Day competition.

LAHAINA – Students from Maui schools gathered together on Saturday, Feb. 28, to share their passion for our nation and our world’s past at the annual Maui District History Day competition.

Eager faces filled the cafeteria at Baldwin High School, as students shared the products of the effort they’ve expended over the last few months to research and create their work on this year’s theme, “Leadership and Legacy in History.”

Passions ran high as the students presented essays, displays, performances, websites and documentaries on topics as diverse as “Ride the Wave,” a story about Duke Kahanamoku; “Suffragist to Suffragette: A Movement Changed by One Woman;” and the “The Love Boat: Legacy of Cruising.”

For one student, the work was a voyage of self-discovery, as the topic she chose, “Determination of Right and Unity of the Menominee Stockholders,” involved her own ancestors. During her post-presentation interview, Teisa Vehikite spoke through her tears: “It is hard to see what your family had to fight for. It is so hard to see what they went through.”

Teisa’s comment captures the crux of the idea of history – namely, that what we have today is a result of the work of those who have come before us. She perfectly expressed the legacy piece of this year’s theme.

History was the name of the game, even during the free time! While waiting for the winners to be announced, the kids engaged in a rousing game of “History Trivial Pursuit,” with students jumping out of their seats with excitement.

Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina again led the charge, nearly sweeping the junior groups (elementary school) with ten of the 12 projects chosen to advance to the state contest.

Several of the high school students competing in the seniors’ category are former Sacred Hearts School students. They delighted in sharing their stories of bygone History Days.

Patty Wurst, middle school Social Studies teacher at Sacred Hearts School and two-time History Day “Teacher of the Year” award winner, summed it up perfectly when she said, “Once students get the history bug, they never lose it!”

The following Sacred Hearts students will represent Maui in the statewide competition on Oahu in April: Jolie Jenkins, Bella Lallo, Teisa Vehikite, Brooke Whitehead, Stephanie Han, Mei Lei Wegner, Grace Devane, Dakota Delos Reyes, Hannah Sheveland, Kiana Tuttle, Tyler Kirby, Alex Rodriquez and Noelle Sheveland.

Chiarra Clark’s exhibit, “Patsy Mink, All The Way,” won a $50 award for demonstrating the significance of education in history.

“The Railroad that United America” by Alex Rodriquez and Tyler Kirby won a $50 award for demonstrating the significance of transportation in history.

Registration at Sacred Hearts School is now open for the 2015-16 school year. Go to www.sacredheartsschool.net or call 661-4720 for more information.