Churchill paper vaults Mystic student into national history competition
Stonington — A Mystic Middle School eighth-grader has qualified to represent Connecticut at the National History Day competition next month at the University of Maryland.
Dante DiMartino-Hart won the junior (middle school) division at the state History Day contest for his essay, titled “Winston Churchill: Taking a Stand Against Nazi Germany.”
He said he chose the topic because Churchill is the first person people talk about when they discuss taking a stand against Nazi Germany. In addition, he has an interest in World War II, especially aviation and naval history, as the war featured new types of ships and planes.
“It was the first time aircraft played a major role in a war,” he said.
He spent several months crafting his 2,000-word paper using sources such as The Times of London. The International Churchill Society was so impressed by DiMartino-Hart’s work, it has asked for his permission to publish his paper on the organization's website.
DiMartino-Hart credited his parents, Joanie and Michael, with sparking his interest in history. Joanie DiMartino is the executive director of the historical Smith-Harris House in East Lyme.
“What I like about history is that these stories are the reason we are where we are today,” he said.
DiMartino-Hart, who hopes to someday become a World War II historian, said he was shocked when he heard his name announced as the winner of the state contest in addition to winning the World War II award.
“My dad almost fell out of his chair,” he said.
At the national competition in June, he will have to present his paper to a panel of judges and then answer questions from them.
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