The event took place at the John Marshall Field House in Moundsville.

Arica Holt, principal at Center McMechen Elementary School, is coordinator of the social studies fair.

She explained Thursday’s event was the 15th annual social studies fair hosted by the county, and 101 projects were entered.

“We are really excited to have so many students participate from so many schools in our county – from the elementary school, middle schools and high schools,” she said.

Melissa Goddard stands with her ribbon after achieving a perfect score for her entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Goddard’s study “Boys of War” was the first place individual winner in the Division II anthropology division.

Holt said she and others involved with the fair see a wide variety of projects each year, and are “always looking for something different.”

“We’re looking for projects where they think out of the box – not just the history of something, but something that delves a little deeper into research,” she explained.

Holt noted that the social studies fair gives students who may not always be at the top of their class “a time to shine.”

“They can do something that is out of their norm, and pick a project in which they are interested and take it to the next level,” she said.

The social studies fair consists of three divisions – Division I for elementary school students; Division II for middle schoolers; and Division III for those in high school.

Keira Stricklin stands with her ribbon after achieving a perfect score for her entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Stricklin’s study on shopping malls, “From Crowds To Closed Signs” was the first place individual winner in the Division I economics division. (All photos by Joselyn King)

In each division, students enter their project into one of the following categories. The categories are anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, sociology, state and local studies, U.S. history and world history.

The winners of each category in each division – both individual and group – will go on to compete in the regional social studies fair, which is set to also take place at the John Marshall Field House on March 19. Students from schools throughout the Northern Panhandle will compete in the event.

A total of 12 projects achieved perfect scores on their projects at the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday:

– Keira Stricklin: her study on shopping malls, “From Crowds To Closed Signs” was the first place individual winner in the Division I economics division.

– Charli Hawkins, and Allie Ellwood: their project, “Under The Golden Dome: The Heart Of West Virginia Government” was the first place group winner in the Division I political science division.

Charli Hawkins, left, and Allie Ellwood stand with their ribbons after achieving a perfect score for their entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Their project, “Under The Golden Dome: The Heart Of West Virginia Government” was the first place group winner in the Division I political science division.

– Clay Hewitt and Jeffrey Grant: their project, studying the life of football star Randy Moss, was the first place group winner in the Division I state and local studies division.

– Josilyn Fields: her presentation, “Rise UP: A Story of Resisteance.” was the first place individual winner in the Division I economics division.

– Melissa Goddard: her study “Boys of War” was the first place individual winner in the Division II anthropology division.

– Dorothy Sampson, Brielle McClelland and Kali Hall: Their project, studying The Mound in Moundsville, was the first place group winner in the Division II anthropology division.

– Lola Hicks and Aylah Irwin: The project on Japanese internment camps was the first place group winner in the Division II psychology division.

Clay Hewitt, left, and Jeffrey Grant stand with their ribbons after achieving a perfect score for their entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Their project, studying the life of football star Randy Moss, was the first place group winner in the Division I state and local studies division.

– C.J. Behm: His study, “4-H And Its Impact,” was the first place individual winner in the Division II sociology division.

– Ella Allender and Allison Mlodzik: their project on “The Wizard of Oz and Hollywood Safety” was the first place group winner in the Division II sociology division.

– Gavin Pickett: his study on Morse code was the first place individual winner in the Division II sociology division.

– Emily Gatts: her presentation on “The Economics of Build A Bear” was the first place individual winner in the Division III economics division.

– Gracelynn Welch: her study, “The Holocaust Through The Eyes Of A Child” was the first place individual winner in the Division III world history division.

Dorothy Sampson, left, Brielle McClelland and Kali Hall stand with their ribbons after achieving a perfect score for their entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Their project, studying The Mound in Moundsville, was the first place group winner in the Division II anthropology division.

Lola Hicks, left, and Aylah Irwin stand with their ribbons after achieving a perfect score for their entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Their project on Japanese internment camps was the first place group winner in the Division II psychology division.

C.J. Behm stands with his ribbon after achieving a perfect score for his entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Behm’s study, “4-H And Its Impact,” was the first place individual winner in the Division II sociology division.

Ella Allender, left, and Allison Mlodzik stand with their ribbons after achieving a perfect score for their entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Their project on “The Wizard of Oz and Hollywood Safety” was the first place group winner in the Division II sociology division.

Gavin Pickett stands with his ribbon after achieving a perfect score for his entry in the Marshall County Social Studies Fair on Thursday. Pickett’s study on Morse code was the first place individual winner in the Division II sociology division.