Eighth-grader Maren Viker’s journey with National History Day is evidence of the extraordinary talent and dedication at Central Middle School. Her project, a website on the Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court case, took Viker all the way to the national competition in Washington, D.C. “I knew I wanted to do something about the First Amendment,” she says about last year’s theme of “Rights and Responsibilities.” This case on student expression struck a chord with her, and the historical research and analysis took her beyond Google. After winter break, teachers Katie Nohr and Kari Janzen were surprised to find that Viker had found Mary Beth Tinker’s contact information and interviewed her via phone over the break. “Not a lot of [kids] have that drive and initiative,” says Janzen. “That just shows the kind of student she is.”
Because of her get-it-done attitude and great work, Viker had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, and was asked to speak at a teacher’s workshop this fall, detailing her work with the project. What’s next? Viker knows she would like to have a career in government someday, and law school is definitely part of the plan.
