West Dundee history buff headed to nationals

Elizabeth 'Frani' O'Toole is proof that history does repeat itself, especially when it involves Quest Academy in Palatine and the National History Fair.

The sixth-grader from West Dundee will join a list of Quest students who have competed in the national competition, but will make history of her own as the school's youngest representative from June 14 through 18 at the University of Maryland.

The private school for gifted students has sent competitors each of the last three years that it has held a history fair.

At the nationals, Frani will present a 10-minute dramatic performance detailing the legacy of 19th century Chicago beef baron, Gustavus Swift. The piece, in which she portrays an immigrant woman whose husband is killed in a meatpacking accident, put her on top of the 60 seventh- and eighth-graders in the school's contest.

"I have always been interested in stockyards because they are a big part of Chicago's history," Frani said. "(Swift) exploited a lot of workers and consumers. He sent out contaminated meat and conditions were atrocious, which resulted in meatpacking laws. It was because of those laws that the FDA was created."

Participants can enter projects in one of four categories: a research paper, dramatic performance, documentary or poster board.

While the school fair is mandatory for most of the school's seventh- and eight-graders, it is optional for younger students.

Through a class map project where Frani displayed her verve for history, Drew Shilhanek, a language arts and social studies teacher, made an exception to allow the sixth-grader to participate.

"I saw her passion for history," said Shilhanek, who invited Frani to participate in the school history fair. Her passion for history was passed on from her parents, John and Elizabeth. Her father says he is an amateur historian who has been interested in history since he was a young child. Elizabeth is a volunteer at the Elgin Public Museum.

Unlike the older students who benefitted from class time to work on their projects, Frani was still undertaking her regular sixth-grade curriculum.

"Frani did this all on her own, completely outside of classroom structure," Shilhanek said.

"Some kids finish their homework and then play a video game, but Frani would rather dig into something historical. I am not at all surprised that she advanced."

Frani and a group of 14 Quest students made it to the regional round and nine of those moved onto the state competition, including Frani.

"No matter where she finishes, she has already done very well," Shilhanek said, "I admire her for living out something she loves."