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Bettendorf

Bettendorf Middle School student earns 1st place in national documentary competition

By Linda Cook,

2026-06-27

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Ox5rS_1ClBBLNg00

Last week at the National History Day National Contest, Bettendorf Middle School student Adrian Gillette brought home first place in the Junior Documentary category.

His documentary, “Brought to You by the Letter R: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Sesame Street’s Mission to Desegregate Education,” documents how the battle to desegregate America’s schools wasn’t fought just on the steps of school buildings – it was fought over the airwaves, too. It incorporates deep historical research, archival footage, and an exclusive interview with LeVar Burton (host and executive producer of “Reading Rainbow.”)

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1wMPCf_1ClBBLNg00
Adrian Gillette and his first-place medal. (National History Day)

Watch Adrian’s documentary here, and watch the awards ceremony here. You can read the 2026 winners list here.

Earlier, Adrian won third place in a national competition and had a conversation with renowned filmmaker Ken Burns. You can see his documentary and read about his earlier accomplishment here.

Here’s a link to the full list of results from Iowa NHD participants in the recent 2026 competition. They include:

Top 10 finalists

Junior Group Exhibit

  • Students: Charlotte Mays, Emma Curry, and Nora Gallagher
  • Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
  • Title: “Beyond the Bar: Gertrude Durden Rush, Civil Rights Pioneer and Legal Revolutionary”

Honorable Mentions (Projects that received 2nd place in the first round of judging)

Junior Individual Performance

  • Students; Charley Seneli
  • Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
  • Title: “‘I’m Lovin’ It.’: A French Fry Revolution Served Hot”

Junior Group Exhibit

  • Student: Bailey Taylor, Evangeline Neighbor and Harper Moran
  • Teacher and School; Deb Temperlty, Bettendorf Middle School
  • Title: “Carnival Curiosity to Clinical Necessity: Martin Couney’s Incubator Revolution and NICU Reform.”


Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.

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