Nature vs. Nurture

What accounts for student success, natural talent or the nurturing work of adults?  Ask Madison Ramirez, an Emerson 5th grader, and she'll be able to give you a comprehensive report.  Madison's History Day project on the nature vs. nurture debate progressed all the way to the State History Day as a Finalist! 

Held in San Jose, the state competition included an interview with a board of judges.  Madison was included with five other finalists in the Junior Poster Division. 

Madison was recognized last night at the RUSD Board of Education meeting along with Mrs. Jackie Hopper, Emerson's History Day Coordinator.  Last year Madison's brother also progressed to the State History Day competition.  Supported by her parents, Rudy and Sandy Ramirez, Madison's efforts are a great example of the importance of BOTH nature and nurture in student success. 


Madison's project will be displayed in the front office.  Congratulations, Madison, We're proud of you!

History Day Awards

Congratulations to these Emerson students who were selected to move on to Riverside County History Day:

Grades 4-5 Individual Posters:
-Winner, Jacqueline Hurtado
-Winner, Shundeen Martinez
-Winner, Madison Ramirez
-Alternate, Antonio Paturzo

Junior Individual Exhibit:
-Winner, Rachael Newhall

-The Riverside City Teachers' Association Award for the best entry on historical issues in education, Shundeen Martinez

-The Riverside Metropolitan Museum Award for best use of primary source photos and/or drawings in the creation of an entry, Antonio Paturzo and Jacqueline Hurtado

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to Emerson's History Day Finalists!

Congratulations to our History Day Finalists!  The theme this year was Debate & Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences.  First place projects will be sent on to the next level- The RUSD History Day.

 POSTERS – FIRST PLACE -4th and 5th Grade

• Jacqueline Hurtado: Mendez v. Westminster Paving the Way for Integration -Turner/Nieto
• Shundeen Martinez: Kill the Indian, Save the Man -Turner/Nieto
• Antonio Paturzo: Lincoln/Douglas Debates -Turner/Nieto
• Madison Ramirez: Nurture vs. Nature -Turner/Nieto

POSTERS – SECOND PLACE-4th and 5th Grade

• Korey Williams and Kris Vazquez: Common Sense - Condron/Hopper
• Jayden Taylor: Brown vs. the Board of Education - Turner/Nieto 

POSTERS – THIRD PLACE-4th and 5th Grade

• Koharu Abe: The Black Hills and the American Indians -Garcia
• Samantha Bauby: Suffrage -Turner/Nieto
• Emma Carson: Brown v. Board of Education -Garcia
• Cade Diaz: Was the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Necessary? -Turner/Nieto

EXHIBITS –FIRST PLACE- 6th Grade

• Shunta Abe: Fish-In -DeHaro
• Rachael Newhall: PETA: The Skin You’re In -Actions to Save Animals- DeHaro

EXHIBITS –SECOND PLACE- 6th Grade

• Olivia Dawson: We Hold the Rock : The American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz-DeHaro

Congratulations to Emerson's History Winners!

2010 Riverside County History Day Winners

Second Place in the 4th /5th Grade Posters: Innovation & Change in Prosthetics: Regaining Mobility and Independence, Rachael Newhall, Emerson Elementary

Third Place in the 4th /5th Grade Posters: Candle, Lighting the Future, Madison Ramirez, Emerson Elementary

Pictured with our students is Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Kenneth M. Young.

Our winners will advance to the History Day in California-State Finals May 7-9, 2010, in Pasadena. The national competition is scheduled for June 13-17, 2010.

Congratulations to Rachel and Madison!