Photo by Joselyn King Eighth grade students at Sherrard Middle School won the school’s fifth consecutive regional History Bowl championship last week. Pictured from left are Lauren McGraw, Harmony Goddard and Ruby Hunter. Not pictured is team member Evan Gatts.

SHERRARD – A team of Sherrard Middle School students who like learning about the past brought home the school’s fifth consecutive regional History Bowl championship last week.

The History Bowl took place April 30 at the Culture Center at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston.

It marked the sixth time the school won the cup, which is not a light piece of hardware. The Sherrard Middle School Team 1 won Region 6 in the competition with teammates Lauren McGraw, Harmony Goddard, Evan Gatts and Ruby Hunter.

A second team from Sherrard was the runner-up in the tournament.

Coach Dan Gatts said the History Bowl happens each year as eighth grade students throughout the state participate in West Virginia history classes and prepare for the annual Golden Horseshoe test.

“They practiced two times a week on top of West Virginia history class,” he said. “A few have been studying since sixth grade.”

McGraw is one of those students who started learning the information two years ago.

“It’s just something I like, and I just enjoy learning about the past and stuff,” she explained. “I feel people overlook West Virginia history because it is such a small state, but we have a lot of history and roots that tie into things that happen.”

McGraw said she was most surprised to learn about the impact musicians with West Virginia ties have had on music – from Chickie Williams to Lady Gaga, whose mother is a Marshall County native.

“We have a lot of history locally. Moundsville and Glen Dale have a lot of stuff,” she continued. “In Wheeling, they have the first state capitol. In Moundsville, they have the penitentiary and the Mound. Glen Dale had Marx Toys.”

Goddard noted she comes from a family who likes history.

“I’ve just always loved history because you are learning about what has brought us to this point,” she explained.

Goddard was surprised to learn about West Virginia’s importance in the French and Indian War.

“It was a war fought over where we live now,” she said. “It was over the land near the Ohio River.”

Hunter explained history has just come easy to her.

“I work through English, science and math, but history has just always felt easier,” she continued.

All acknowledged history was their favorite class, but they weren’t certain just what role history will play in their future careers.

“I want to be a lawyer, and I guess history does tie into the law,” McGraw said.

Goddard wasn’t certain she would have a history-related job, but she does see herself remaining interested and continuing to study the past.

“I would still go to museums and read about it,” she added.