Temecula Student Center graduating senior Rafael Ibarra took first place at the NHD-CA State Finals 2019 at William Jessup University, Rocklin, California. He went on to represent California at the National History Competition in College Park, Maryland in June, competing against 110 other students. The judges gave his film their highest rating, and it was screened at the National Museum for African American History.
This year’s theme for the competition was Triumph and Tragedy in History; nearly 500,000 students participate in the program nationwide. His Senior Individual Documentary was “1963 Birmingham…A Year of Triumphs and Tragedies.” As part of the project, he made a pilgrimage to Birmingham, Alabama to visit historical sites, museums and archives as well as to speak with primary sources. His film includes his personal interviews of historians, faculty members, Birmingham Foot Soldiers from the Children’s March in May 1963 and a survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
Rafael plans to continue his education in film as a college student.
