A group of area eighth graders took a school project and turned it into multiple presentations on the preservation of the City of Social Circle.

The entire eighth grade at Social Circle Middle School was challenged to create preservation projects and compete for prizes by the Historic Preservation Society of Social Circle (HPSSC), which partnered with Social Circle Main Street, the City of Social Circle Historic Preservation Commission and the Social Circle City Schools to celebrate National Preservation Month in May.

Students and teachers were prepared in advance with workshops presented by local preservationists.

“We decided to hold this contest to challenge the students to learn more about our city’s past; our people, places and history,” said Dena Johnston, president of the HPSSC. “We want to reach out to the younger generations to get them more involved in our historic city. We believe if we can get the younger generations involved we can continue our missions into the future.”

Projects were judged on three criteria: creativity, educational value and social impact.

Winners were announced at an open house at Gunter Hall Saturday, May 17, and certificates and cash prizes were awarded at the Middle School Eighth Grade Awards Day May 21.

A first prize of $100 went to Marlee Gray and Marlee Ruark for creating a child’s pop-up book.

Second place, which was $70, was awarded to a graveyard video by Olivia Halleck and Kayla Spinks.

Erin Meadows and Anna Spinks received a $50 third place prize for a scrap book.

A display board by Alyssa and Clara Ervin won fourth place and $30.

“The project was such a success we will be repeating it with next year’s eight grade classes,” Johnston said. “Special thanks go to Principal Gibbs, Kathy Boyd, Sara Lynn Holbert, Nada Oller, Laurie Allison, Tanya Simpkins, Mike Miller and Tom Brown.”