LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Christopher Richardson, Nicholas
Rifenburgh, and Brooks Peffer of Questar III's Rensselaer Educational
Center in Troy, upon the occasion of capturing Third Place in the Capi-
tal Region History Day Contest, on March 23, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those young people who, by achieving outstanding success in
an educational competition, have inspired and brought pride to our
majestic Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Christopher Richardson, Nicholas Rifenburgh, and Brooks Peffer of
Questar III's Rensselaer Educational Center in Troy, upon the occasion
of capturing Third Place in the Capital Region History Day Contest; and
WHEREAS, The Capital Region History Day Contest was held on Saturday,
March 23, 2013, at the Cultural Education Center in Albany, New York;
the preliminary regional competition of the National History Day
Contest, the Capital Region event attracted 132 students and 75 entries
from schools in Albany, Clifton Park, Delmar, Guilderland, Granville,
Troy, and Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, National History Day is a year-long academic program focused
on historical research for 6th to 12th grade students; and
WHEREAS, National History Day makes history come alive for America's
youth by engaging them in the discovery of the historic, cultural and
social experiences of the past; through hands-on experiences and presen-
tations, today's students are better able to inform the present and
shape the future; National History Day transforms the process of learn-
ing history through utilizing project-based curriculum and instruction
and the spirit of competition; and
WHEREAS, In New York State, National History Day is sponsored by the
New York State Historical Association which encourages students to
explore local, state, national, and world history; after selecting a
historical topic that relates to an annual theme, students conduct
extensive research by using libraries, archives, museums, and oral
history interviews; and
WHEREAS, As part of National History Day, New York students analyze
and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their topics'
significance in history, and create final projects that illustrate their
work; this year's theme was "Turning Points in History"; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Richardson, Nicholas Rifenburgh, and Brooks
Peffer, are students at Questar III's Rensselaer Educational Center in
Troy, New York; coached by their teachers, John Mahony, Mary Bayham, and
Lewis Cappelli, these scholars won Third Place in the Senior Group Web
Sites category for their project, "History of Game Technology: How 3D
Changed the World"; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate the accomplishments of remark-
able and exceptional students who participate in these educational
contests and who have achieved noteworthy recognition for their efforts;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Christopher Richard-
son, Nicholas Rifenburgh, and Brooks Peffer, all able scholars, recog-
nizing the value of their labors and the promise of their futures; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Christopher Richardson, Nicholas Rifenburgh, and Brooks
Peffer of Questar III's Rensselaer Educational Center in Troy, upon the

occasion of capturing Third Place in the Capital Region History Day
Contest; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Christopher Richardson, Nicholas Rifenburgh, and Brooks
Peffer.