EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A fourth-grade student at Mesita Elementary School is being recognized for his passion for history and his academic achievements.<\/p>\n
Nicolas Ontiveros Arrieta won second place in this year\u2019s History Day Contest held at the University of Texas El Paso,<\/a> competing against other students.<\/p>\n Ontiveros Arrieta later placed fourth at the state competition and was the only fourth grader from El Paso to compete at the statewide event.<\/p>\n During the History Day competition, students researched historical topics tied to a theme and presented their work to historians and educators. Ontiveros Arrieta chose to focus on the African American Revolution and said he enjoys learning about history.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes me happy because it\u2019s fun to learn about, and I want other people to see what History Day is like and how they feel about it,\u201d Ontiveros Arrieta said.<\/p>\n Nicolas Ontiveros Arrieta wins second place in this year\u2019s History Day contest at the University of Texas at El Paso.(Courtesy: EPISD)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n His mentor and teacher said the recognition highlights the strong academic opportunities available to students at Mesita Elementary.<\/p>\n \u201cI think with those opportunities being brought to our school and students, that\u2019s how we help them challenge themselves and become even better people,\u201d said Luz Luna, a fourth-grade teacher.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that really speaks to the rigor this campus provides students and the opportunities they have to participate in academic competitions,\u201d said Jesse Arrieta, EPISD secondary social studies facilitator.<\/p>\n