For the past 30 years, the St. Clair County Historical Society has sponsored a history fair in schools throughout the county. This year St. Clair County celebrates its Bicentennial, making the History Fair an even more important event for Carol Waid, History Fair Chairman. 

“The kids did some amazing projects this year,” Waid said. “Congratulations to all of you,” she told the students. 

The annual St. Clair County History Fair is open to all fourth graders in St. Clair County. The purpose of the History Fair is to promote student interest and awareness of Alabama history through a hands-on activity resulting from historical research and creative thinking.  

At the beginning of the school year, Carol Waid, History Fair chairman, delivers informational packets to elementary schools throughout the county listing the rules and regulations of the contest. Some teachers use the project in their curriculum for Alabama History, while others use it as an optional assignment, encouraging students to learn more about the history of where they live. 

Over the past few weeks, judging has taken place at participating schools for project winners. First place winners from each school participated in the County Awards held on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the Fortson Museum in Odenville. 

The overall winners were: first place Nicholas Barclay from Odenville Intermediate with a project on the Newton/Ash house; second place Hayden Barnes from Steele Elementary with a Pope and Free Sawmill display with a working ‘saw’’; third place Colt Carder from Coosa Valley Elementary with a scale replica of The Kitchen restaurant in Pell City.

The County winner’s project will be displayed at our St. Clair County exhibit in the Alabama Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit in April. The remaining first-place winners from area schools will receive county honorable mention.

On Wed., Feb. 21, winners were chosen from Coosa Valley Elementary School, Eden, Iola Roberts, and Moody Middle School. Moody Middle School fourth grade history project winners are: Rylan Carlisle 1st Place, Rai Anya Kelly 2nd Place, and Isabella Frazier 3rd Place. 

Eden Elementary School winners are: Hayden Whitten – 1st place with her project Coal City School; Landon Braden – 2nd place –with New Hope Baptist Church; and Charlie Buerhaus – 3rd place with a display of Camp Winnataska Foot Bridge. 

Iola Roberts winners are: 1st Place- Carsen Norris (John Looney House)

2nd Place- Aubrey Jones (Harkey’s Chapel Methodist Church), 3rd Place- Myles Henderson (First Baptist Church of Pell City), and Honorable Mention- Jarrett Doran (Cropwell Post Office).

On Friday, Feb. 23, Odenville Intermediate, Margaret, Springville, and Steele schools were judged. Winners for Odenville Intermediate school are: Nick Barclay, 1st Place, Kayden Sheats 2nd Place, and Lexi Ferguson, 3rd place.  

Steele Junior High School (SJHS) winners are: 1st Place Hayden Barnes, 2nd Place Francesca Ford, and 3rd Place Anzlee Farmer. Honorable Mentions for SJHS are Kaylee Gonzales, Karina Bryan, and Ethan Kennedy.