Fridley High's Barker Is Back from National History Day

Taylor Barker has one regret about participating in the National History Day competition: that he didn't do it more often.

in Minnesota's State History Day competition with his research paper, Debates of the Diplomats: Paul Nitze and George Kennan, in the senior division. 

That earned him a trip to the national competition at the University of Maryland-College Park last week, along with the top two juniors and seniors from each state in each of several project categories: research paper, exhibit board, documentary, performance and website.

"It was an incredible experience," Barker said in an interview Saturday after his return.

The 55 Minnesota students spent most of their time between Tuesday and Friday supporting each other at their performances and documentary showings at the national competition, Barker said.

The Minnesotans spent a lot of time together, Barker said, exploring the streets of Washington, D.C., and building friendships that weren't really the focus of the state competition.

Barker visited the office of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, and Sen. Al Franken spoke to the Minnesota contingent one afternoon, he said.

One of the highlights for Barker was a documentary by Henry Sibley High School senior Molly Nemer on the exclusion of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Barker said he was "especially entertained" by her project. 

For papers, a panel of judges interviewed each entrant about their choice of topic, their research process, and the relevance of the topic for modern times. Barker said he came close to advancing to the final round, placing third in his judging room.

Barker participated in History Day in eighth and ninth grades, then returned to the competition this year as a senior.

This summer, he'll play a different role: he's ship steward in the 's production of Anything Goes.