Wed, December 03, 2008
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Richard Cesare Well, we are back from NHD and I can't sleep. I did make it to the final round with my paper on Paul Rusesabagina and the Rwandan genocide but that is as far as I went. I view this as a huge defeat. I guess that's the risk you take for writing about something so controversial. I knew that before I ever got there.
4 out of 6 judges gave me the highest scores possible and wrote remarks that were really encouraging. One judge jumped the gun and congratulated me on my win before I ever actually won which I didn't. Many people thought there was no way I could lose and it is unfortunate I bought in to it. It made the loss really hard.
The other 2 judges were not as kind. 1 judge didn't judge me and I guess felt my paper wasn't even worth grading. She/he gave me no score and many really bad comments. The last judge gave me mostly the highest scores but commented that my paper was not history and that the Washington Post disproved my research which they did not the same movie director in my paper wrote the post article after all he has a movie to protect. But looking at the big picture 13th out of the nation isn't all that bad.
I don't understand why the genocide in Rwanda is not history. I don't understand why documenting the stories of survivors is not history. I did something I had never done before and to all of you who thought I was too disappointed well I was for about an hour and then I realized I did exactly what I wanted to do. I helped voices be heard that were silenced by a movie. Something no one else was willing to do because it might make them look bad. I didn't care that I was called a revisionist or that I was helping a political agenda. I knew better. When I got back home I found an email that made it all worth it. There is an investigative journalist who is an expert on Rwandan History. One of Britain's leading investigative journalists, Linda Melvern, said "Paul Rusesabagina's book An Ordinary Man is a deviation from the facts surrounding the 1994 Genocide." she is doing an investigation like I did and the article she wrote had the same findings as I had. guess I wasn't all wrong after all.
I am not mad or upset at the judges. It is all subjective to what the judges opinion of my work is. My teacher and others told me that happens in college all the time. My mom asked me if I would do it again and I said yes. Watch out for next year! I have already chosen a very controversial topic. That's what I like to write about. Things that I know no one else will. I like the mystery and the investigating. I like trying to find out something no one else knows.
I am really proud of the Arizona team. I was really impressed with the documentaries. I thought it was really cool that Collin won a trip to James Town. Arizona did really well and we have a lot to be proud of.
I actually managed to get all my buttons. I had a lot of fun with that. I really liked the department of defense button and the pig Latin one from Indiana. What's pretty funny about that is I thought trading buttons would be stupid and then I found myself bargaining for them just like everyone else. It was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people.
Overall NHD has it's ups and downs but it was an experience of a lifetime that I hope I can do again and again. I will go for the controversial assignment again and know by doing that I may never win a medal but at least I will have the time of my life investigating a mystery!
Thank you Mrs. Elsberry. You can read my work if you want to. Mrs. Devine has a copy or I could mail you one. That was exactly what I hoped would happen and why I wanted to win. If I won people would want to read my paper and then everyone would want to help. Well that is what I hoped for anyway. It really wasn't about being able to say I won but it was about letting people know that survivors survived genocide only to be starving and filled with fear and even hate. It was also about the money. I was going to send it to Rwanda to send some kids to school.
The more people in Rwanda hear about how one person is making money off a story they know isn't true the more hurt and madder they get. It's not good. It's like when we get in fights and arguments at school. If we don't let it go then it just gets bigger and bigger then it explodes.
It was also about bringing awareness. The genocide that is happening today isn't being stopped. President Bush said a few years ago when asked about Rwanda "Not on my watch" Was he only talking about Rwanda? Everyone keeps saying "Never again" and things like "Not on my Watch" but it has no meaning because it is happening today and it is happening on his watch and it isn't being stopped.
I made friends in Rwanda and I worry about them every day. One story that was told to me was about a family who was hiding in their house. When the Interhamwe came to kill them the dad pushed his son into the ceiling panels to hide him. Everyone but the son was murdered. He survived because his dad was a real hero. I wonder how many kids are hiding in ceilings in Darfur?
What happened in Rwanda is history. Nothing is going to change what happened 12 years ago and that makes it history.
I do wonder how many of the kids who wrote about Rusesabagina being a hero were told that was not history?
This whole experience has changed me. That is what NHD is really about I think. Making kids want to learn about history and become passionate about it. It certainly did all that for me.
I was hoping to do Rwanda again but another aspect of it all for next year but was told to look at 25 years or older. Then I thought American Education would be good. I changed my mind again. I am searching for topics now and think maybe Bobby Sands or Immigration. Who knows I keep changing my mind as I look things up.
I hope I can get my body back on AZ time soon. This waking up at 4 am isn't all that good. LOL
Richard, as a career journalist your dedication to uncovering the truth and motivation to educate is inspiring. If only the majority of us in this profession were as dogged and determined as you. Keep up the good work!
Richard, 3 people sharing 1 laptop - tough! I'll be in touch later this week; hope you are finally sleeping on Arizona time. Susan
Richard is a remarkable young man. Very, very few sixth graders qualify for the runoffs in papers at the national finals. Maybe a handful in the five years I've been a coordinator. I don't think he knows that. The topic was controversial, but he handled it like a pro. His growth as a person this year was astonishing. The friendships he made were priceless. If Richard has a flaw, he is too hard on himself. STOP IT!!! You are amazing beyond words. I am so proud of you--to take on something like this is so brave. You could easily have backed down, but you would not have gained the respect of so many. So a few judges missed the point. So what!?
I'm STILL not sleeping on Arizona time.
Laurie Devine
Richard, I am so proud of you. I asked Colin if he wanted to make a summer blockbuster or an independent film for NHD and he did what he wanted as well. That choice is what makes NHD so wonderful. I have always preferred the path, not the goal; your path has been very well defined and what an accomplishmnet for your age. I would love to see your work.
Colin is asleep in NYC, but he will appreciate and be jealous of your complete button collection - he is missing 4 states or 12 with duplicates. Keep checking for more pictures added to the Gallery.
Your blog was needed to show a more complete picture of NHD for our Region and the Tucson FAIR for educators on June 21st. Your memories will be archived here for a long time and hopefully, we'll hear more from you on next years effort.
My VERY best to you and yours,
Susan