By Dan Cosgrove
History Coach
Calhoun High School student Aleah Dye performed as Rosa Parks at
West Virginia's National History Day Competition Friday, April 26, at the Charleston Civic Center.
Her research about segregation and the famous bus incident that sparked the civil rights movement was thorough. This research led to a riveting portrayal of Parks.
Dye had initially planned to make and paint a bus for her scene. However, after her first rehearsal, with only a chair proved to be so moving and powerful, it was decided a chair was all she would need. A search for her costume at a local thrift store completed the visual effect.
Dye came home as the county's top winner, earning 2nd place in the National History Day Competition. The top two finishers from each state qualify to represent their state at the national competition at the University of Maryland in June.
While it was obvious the judges enjoyed her performance, they were even more pleased with the question and answer period which followed. Four judges asked a number of questions, which Dye easily answered. Her hard work and research paid off.
| 
