North Decatur High School’s Chautauqua gave the community a chance to see students discuss important social science topics and meet a handful of more famous locals wanting to share their stories.

The student presentations took place first to start off the day. Students were voted as finalists by presenting a Chautauqua to their social science classes. Then, in the library on Dec. 1, they had to compete again to win in one of five categories.

Rebecca Williams, for Psychology, sang an original song about poverty while accompanying herself on piano. Giovanni Angelotti, a foreign exchange student from Italy, for Indiana Studies, made comics depicting his journey to Greensburg and some of his most memorable experiences. Crystal Koors, for Psychology, sang an original song called “Childhood Memories” while Scott Menefee sang along and played guitar.

Patricia Thomas, for World History, made a tri-fold poster showing various religions around the world. Stephanie McConnell, for Psychology, had a powerpoint about her second cousin, Journey Lynn Bates, who passed away at age four with Down Syndrome. Her focus was the impact children have on others’ lives. Austin Yazel made a documentary on SCCA, which includes all forms of racing from solo to rally cross, club racing and PDX. This covered all three of Yazel’s Chautauquas for Indiana Studies, Psychology and World History.

Kendra Caudill, for Psychology, did a powerpoint titled “We Made It Through” about dealing with having a sister who was molested. This was a tear-jerker for the library as Caudill explained her nightly routine of reading Charlotte’s Web to her sister as she cried herself to sleep. Laura Blodgett, for World History, read a story she wrote on the life of her great-grandmother. Lynn Trenkamp, for World History, showed clips from Saving Private Ryan and shared World War II stories from her great-uncle Earl Kreinhop. Kaylyn Valentin, for World History, explained the history of poetry, which expresses a state of mind. She thinks everyone gives poetry a chance at some point in their life. Her presentation ended with a reading of her poem, “Chautauqua”. Kaitlyn Scheidler, for Indiana Studies, had a 15-minute video of photographs she took of barns, trees, tractors and insects.

Olivia Gehrich presented three very different Chautauqua projects. Her first, for Economics, was a powerpoint titled “Health Care Reform 101”, which she began by saying, “Take no offense to what I say. It’s just what I believe.” Her second powerpoint, for Psychology, discussed Locks of Love. It featured a video from her donating 13 inches of hair in Mr. Pratt’s class, which is what earned her a spot as a finalist. Her final powerpoint, for World History, was the history of Disney. She presented it in a formal gown and tiara to give a look of Disney princesses.

Rebecca Williams won most inspirational; Kendra Caudill won for giving 110 percent; Austin Yazel won for most subject driven; Crystal Koors won for most creative and Olivia Gehrich won overall.

After the student presentations, students, teachers and people from the community could hear from Darnell Hillman, who used to play for the Pacers; Pat Koch, owner of Holiday World; Fred Minnick, a photojournalist who wrote “Camera Boy”; Bob Lovell, host of Indiana Sports Talk; and Susan Crandall, an author who has published nine books.

Chautauqua was a very long, chaotic day, but it left many students with autographs, knowledge and a more positive attitude on life.