Thanks to our generous sponsor Musco Lighting, Uniting Through History was able to host its first Hip History Contest in 2021. Thank you, Musco Lighting!
Nearly 60 students submitted 40 entries for our first annual Hip History Contest! We were delighted by the time students took in crafting their entries, along with the creativity displayed. Poems, skits, songs, documentaries, fictional stories—these are just a few of the types of entries we received. We had a tough time choosing winners!
Below are the 2021 Hip History Contest winning entries and a few other entries.
NOTE: We share these entries to recognize winners and entrants. Future contest entrants that copy these entries will be disqualified.
Middle School Winners
| First Place Winner ($2,000 Prize) |  Aliyah H., Payton M., Tyce N., Adeline P., and Kristopher U. worked together to create a skit to show the equality in Buxton and the lack of it elsewhere. Their goal for those viewing their entry is for people “treating everyone the same, regardless of skin color.” Click here to view their entry. Click here to read an interview with the winners. |
| Second Place Winner ($500 Prize) |  Sarah P. created a documentary detailing the town of Buxton, interspersed with prop-filled demonstrations of shopping and mining. Her goal for those viewing her entry is for people to see “how a small town in rural Iowa that existed 20 years could have an impact on the nation.” Click here to view her entry. |
| Third Place Winner ($250 Prize) |  Jeremiah R. created a story about the day of a Black man living in Buxton. His goal for those viewing his entry: “I would like people to learn what Buxton was like. My story was a day in the life of a black man living in Buxton. This story was fictional, but it could have been what someone experienced.” Click here to view his entry. |
High SCHOOL WINNERS
| First Place Winner ($2,000 Prize) |  Lauren O. recorded herself painting an image of an interracial couple while sharing Buxton’s history. Her goal for those viewing her entry: “I hope that by people watching this video they can realize if a town in the 1900’s can live in peace with each other that we can as well, and I hope that we can learn to live in harmony after hearing the story of Buxton, Iowa.” Click here to view her entry. Click here to read an interview with Lauren. |
| Second Place Winner ($500 Prize) |  Chloe P. created a puppet show-like theater presentation with handmade sets and sound effects to show the rise and fall of Buxton. Her goal for those viewing her entry is: “I hope my video will help people understand how just a small town in Iowa could change history.” Click here to view her entry. |
| Third Place Winner ($250 Prize) |  Darby L. composed, sang, and played a song that captures the spirit of Buxton. Her goal for those viewing her entry: “Buxton, Iowa was a town of togetherness. It was a place where everyone got along and had the same freedoms. I hope that we can strive to have this unity wherever we go. If it’s possible in one community, it’s possible in all.” Click here to view her entry. |
Other Notable Entries
 | Mataya L. used her expertise with Minecraft to provide a tour of a Buxton house. While Mataya was ineligible to enter the contest due to her affiliation with Uniting Through History, we truly appreciated her willingness to create an entry as an example for others. Click here to view her entry. |
 | Alexander V. recited a poem he wrote. After learning about Buxton, he stated on his entry: “How great the town was and how it allowed Blacks to live amongst other races as equals.” Click here to view his entry. |
 | Demetrius M. recorded himself doing something he enjoys—playing basketball—while sharing the history of Buxton. Click here to view his entry. |
 | Sam H. used a vintage television, graphic treatment, and sound to give his entry an old-fashioned feel. The introduction of flying pigs caught us by surprise. Sam says, “People should respect one another and work together.” Click here to view his entry. |