Local kids explore history

GCHS announces winner of kids writing contest

Cynthia Sheeley
Posted 5/31/23

The Goshen County Historical Society (GCHS) worked hard to get local kids interested in local history during its “Be the Explorer” history writing contest.

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Local kids explore history

GCHS announces winner of kids writing contest

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TORRINGTON – The Goshen County Historical Society (GCHS) worked hard to get local kids interested in local history during its “Be the Explorer” history writing contest. For the contest, the kids were asked to learn and write about a historical subject in Goshen County. 

The entries were split into four different age categories, each with different entry requirements. The categories are first and second graders, third through fifth graders, sixth through ninth graders and tenth through twelfth graders.

The winners of the contest were announced on Saturday, May 20.

For the first category, second grader Henry Sheeley won first place and first grader Daniel Bloemker won second place. For the second category, fifth grader Katelyn Andette won first place and fifth grader Aaliyah Campoo won second place. For the third category, sixth grader Claire Bloemker won first place and sixth grader Jerry Eisenbarth won second.

The entries were written about a wide array of historical subjects in Goshen County, including, Fort Laramie, the Goshen County Library, the Torrington Fire Station, St. Joseph’s Children’s Home and the Torrington Theater. 

Each participant received a thank you and a $5 gift card. First-place winners each received a $25 prize and second-place winners received a $12 prize. 

Throughout the experience, the kids selected their subject, explored its history by reading, asking questions and interviewing special individuals and then wrote a report on what they learned. The goal of the contest was to get children involved in local history and inspire curiosity. 

“Last year, we had two entries, because we did it in summer, but this year we had 19,” GCHS President Mary Houser said at the last GCHS meeting. “There were some really very, very well-done reports on Torrington, Yoder, the mercantile, the hotel, the fort, the sheriff’s office and the fire department. They covered a lot of different things and the students did a beautiful job.” 

Each of the winners expressed their appreciation to the historical society and said that they really enjoyed entering the contest and learning about their subjects.

Andette, who wrote about the history of the Torrington Fire Station, said her favorite thing about the experience was, “Getting a tour of the fire station and seeing the old fire trucks.”

Eisenbarth, who wrote about the Torrington Theater, said, “I learned that the shelter is still running today and the stage behind it is going to be used again for bands eventually. Also, they think the building is haunted.”

“My favorite thing I learned was how big the stage actually was; the ceiling is incredibly high,” he continued. “Also, they have containers for the old film, sadly, they didn’t have any film there [when I visited]. But I got to see the projectors, how they made the old popcorn and some of the original bricks in the building.”

Sheeley, who wrote about Fort Laramie, said, “I had lots of fun going to the fort and writing the article. I’m ready to go back and see Casey [Osback, the chief of interpretation and visitor service at Fort Laramie].”

Houser expressed her thanks to the children and their families. She also said it was amazing the number of things that the members of the GCHS learned by reading the children’s reports. There were many interesting facts about the area that they were unaware of before the contest. 

With this year’s success, the club will be looking forward to holding the contest again next year.