![MSK National History Day first place team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1746472376/rsu21net/k80fn1tfjrpofgfmlsog/MSKNationalHistoryDayfirstplaceteam.jpg","width":2200}])
ORONO, Maine - Students from the Middle School of the Kennebunks (MSK) will represent Maine in June after securing top placements at the statewide National History Day contest at the University of Maine in Orono over the weekend.
The team comprised of Oliver LaPierre, Rudyard Moore, and Gray Wells won the highly competitive “exhibits” category with their display on "The Wabanaki Indian Settlement Claims Act," while Landyn Maffei and Molly Rice-Philp secured second place in the “performance” category for their work on the "Radium Girls.” Both teams earned the honor of representing Maine at the national finals.
MSK students Landyn Maffei and Molly Rice-Philp earned second place for their performance about the "Radium Girls" at the National History Day contest in Orono on May 3, 2025.
"The National History Day project has been a fantastic addition to our school,” said MSK Principal Marty Bouchard. “Under the expert leadership of faculty advisor Christa Boeykens-Bui, our students have thrived and found a great deal of success taking part in the process. This is a proud moment for the MSK and RSU 21 community.”
This was the first year teams from RSU 21 have competed in National History Day contests.
MSK students Krow McClinchy and Grey Sheppard placed third in the "Exhibits" category for their project on prejudice after 9/11.
Another team comprised of MSK students Krow McClinchy and Grey Sheppard took third place for their exhibit examining prejudice following the September 11 attacks.
Boeykens-Bui, who is also a Gifted and Talented teacher at MSK, is currently organizing fundraising efforts to support the team's travel expenses for the national competition.
"We're incredibly proud of these students, and now we need community support to get them to Maryland," Boeykens-Bui said. "This opportunity to compete at the national level is truly life-changing."
The National History Day finals will be held at the University of Maryland at College Park from June 8 to 12, where the MSK teams will compete against students from all U.S. states, territories, and international teams from countries including Japan, South Korea, and China.
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