SOUTH KINGSTOWN — She’s interviewed a few of the most well-known names in the United States as a national correspondent for TIME for Kids, a scholastic version of TIME, and continues to enhance her impressive resume. And she’s only 13 years old.
Bridget Bernardo, who will begin eighth grade as a student in La Salle Academy’s PEGASUS Program at the start of the upcoming school year, recently placed second in the Junior Individual Web Site category at the annual Kenneth E. Behring National History Day (NHD) contest, an academic program for elementary and secondary school students.
“When they called my name, I was really excited,” said Bernardo, a South Kingstown resident. “I thought my project was good, but didn’t know if it was good enough to win nationals.”
Focusing on this year’s NHD theme of “Rights and Responsibilities,” Bernardo titled her project, “The Pentagon Papers: Fortifying Democracy Through a Free Press.” Officially named, “United States – Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Study Prepared by the Department of Defense,” the Pentagon Papers is a secret study of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967.
For research, Bernardo reviewed multiple Web sites, databases and videos relating to the subject, as well as read a few books, newspaper clippings and online articles. Using Weebly, a free Web-hosting platform, she created her project.
“It describes the whole story of the Pentagon Papers, and shows what each side was saying during that time period,” she said. “I also looked into what’s happening today, and the impacts the Pentagon Papers have made. It’s a historical topic, so I thought it was really interesting.”
She also conducted interviews with former CIA director Porter Goss, former general counsel and vice chairman of The New York Times James Goodale, and First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams. She said interviewing them was “exciting,” as was the event, which took place at the University of Maryland from June 15 through 19.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Bernardo. “It helped me be more knowledgeable about the world around me, and I was able to meet lots of highly influential people.”
Some of those people included other students, as children from throughout the United States, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and beyond, participated. She especially liked “trading buttons,” or pins, with other competitors, an activity that encourages students to interact with one another.
Marie Parys, who along with Joseph O’Neill serves as an NHD state coordinator, said the program offers participants many benefits.
“They not only learn research skills and historical content, they learn better writing and literacy skills, and how to pare down information,” said Parys, who is also a former high school teacher and librarian. “When they do annotated bibliographies, they see that they’ve used a lot of sources and they figure out what is most important and how to apply it to their thesis statement. Some parents say their children are learning skills they need for college.”
Deb Hobday, dean of students of La Salle’s PEGASUS Program, agrees, and said NHD compliments the PEGASUS curriculum, as it emphasizes several skills that are important in all academic disciplines. PEGASUS, which is an acronym for “Program to Enhance the Gifts, Aptitudes and Skills of Unique Students,” is offered to seventh and eighth graders.
Hobday went on to say that all PEGASUS participants start working on their projects at school and as homework in late fall, concluding by February. Witnessing students thrive, particularly Bernardo, has been a treat.
“It is always great when a student’s efforts are recognized,” said Hobday. “Bridget had great research skills before even starting the project, from past school and extra-curricular experiences, but her skills have improved greatly, as well.”
According to the NHD Website, more than half a million students, who are encouraged by thousands of teachers nationwide, participate in the NHD contest every year. Students present work in original papers, Web sites, exhibits, performances and documentaries, which helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, research and reading skills, oral and written communication and presentation skills, self-esteem and confidence, and a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process.
To reach the national level, Bernardo earned first-place in the individual website category during the Rhode Island statewide competition. In her process paper, she said she decided to explore the topic because of her interest in journalism, as well as its impact on today’s debate about freedom of the press and national security secrecy.
Ahead of the competition, Bernardo gained experience as a journalist when she interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and covered a presidential debate and President Obama’s inauguration for TIME for Kids. She was selected as one of 12 reporters nationally to serve as a correspondent for the publication.
“I’ve always liked journalism,” she said. “You can explore different types of topics and write about them. I like interviewing people, too, because you can get information out of them that you might not know.”
Parys, who reviews projects for students and offers them advice before they head to nationals, is impressed by Bernardo’s drive. She described Bernardo as a “very bright, diligent, hard-working student” who “goes the extra mile.”
Parys also praised Hobday, as well as PEGASUS teacher, Muriel Cawthorn. In turn, Hobday noted Parys and O’Neill as “amazing mentors and role models to all teachers involved in the NHD program.” While PEGASUS is considered a rigorous program, Bernardo enjoys the challenge. Her participation in NHD, she said, also tested her talents and encouraged her to give her all.
“I have to work really hard and put a lot of effort into everything I do,” said Bernardo, noting that she spent about 20 hours on the bibliography alone. “I never created a Web site before, and it was interesting. It was a good experience for me.”
Click here to visit Bridget's Website and learn more about National History Day.
