A possible best seller in the making

The night before the National History Bee Championships on June 1, Woodmere Middle School eighth-grader Alec Fischthal laid in his hotel bed in Atlanta counting emperors and kings.

Fischthal battled 440 students from across the country at the championships and was named first runner-up. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I didn’t cry, I was just happy to be where I was.”

Having loved history from a young age,

Fischthal, 13, first mentioned the National History Bee last year to his social studies teacher Jim Loviglio. “Having him in class is a treat – every time he raises his hand, I know I’ll be challenged,” Loviglio said of Fischthal.

After Loviglio received permission from John Wimmer, the social studies department chairperson, to bring the History Bee to Woodmere Middle School, the top four winners from the April event had to take an online test to see if they qualified for the regionals, which was held in Yonkers. “He was worried he wouldn’t make it,” Loviglio said of Fischthal. “I told him if you don’t make it, I want to know who knows more history than you do.”

Though Fischthal outscored his three fellow classmates, all four made it to regionals and then to the championships. “There were more than 7,000 kids at regionals and to see him finish as first runner-up in the country is astonishing,” Loviglio said.

Fischthal prepared for the National History Bee Championships by reading and reviewing practice questions. “I read a lot and had to go over European history, but I already knew a lot of American history,” said Fischthal, who also divides his time between playing the saxophone, serving on the student council and being part of the school’s track and field team.

Rich Berkowitz, principal at Woodmere Middle School, said Fischthal had a perfect score on the social studies cumulative final at the end of seventh grade. “The words passionate and dedication come to mind when describing Alec as he possesses a rare desire and self-motivation to absorb as much knowledge as possible,” Berkowitz said. “I am intrigued to see how the Alec Fischthal story unfolds in the future and I’m confident that it will be a best seller.”

One of the more enjoyable parts of taking part in the History Bee for Fischthal was meeting other students who were just as interested in history as he is. “It was the first time I met kids who knew history as much as me and it was amazing to be with kids like that,” he said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today with out these historical events and figures.”

As Fischthal moves on to Hewlett High School this fall, he expects to continue testing his knowledge of history at various competitions. “I hope to get better next year,” he said. “I have all this knowledge in me now, so I’ll just have to keep it in me.”

That his prized student continues developing his intellect, while maintaining his love for the subject matter is important to Loviglio. “He should be taking advanced placement courses,” Loviglio said. “And I hope he never loses his passion for history or social studies.”

Fischthal said he won’t lose his love of history as he dreams of being president. “I don’t want to be a historian, I love politics,” he said. “Sitting at home and seeing presidential debates, I think I could do such a better job to get things moving. I think I could do it if I work hard enough.”