Jackie Joyner-Kersee Rising from Below:Leading the way for female athletes

Samuel Bihinda Junior DivisionIndividual Website

When first heard of the National History Day theme I quickly thought of multiple topics. After relaxing and really thinking about my topic, it was apparent that I was going to focus on an athletic-topic. I enjoy sports and though athletics I knew I would be intrigued through my research. I asked many friends and family about athletes that do great things in the spotlight and off. I decided to do my research on Jackie-Joyner-Kersee. With just a quick search online I knew rapidly Joyner-Kersee was the right choice to explore. Once I was certain of my topic, I began to conduct research using books. It was clear to me I would have plenty online sources so books would be a good steady start. I went to by local Baltimore County Library and check out many book to get as much information as possible. While reading, I took notes; including page numbers for things which I wanted to go back to, and quotes I might want to use on my website. While reading these books, I thought about people whom I could interview. I was able to get a lot of insight from other who knew a lot on women athletics and Joyner-Kersees impact on it. Though my research I discovered valuable insight on Joyner-Kersees great work in sports. While her athletic records were vital to my project her work off the track was to. To blend all this together I needed to unify much of my own work as well, in an attempt to emphasize the visual aspects that only a website could accomplish. Websites, if created well, can portray information in an organized and easily digestible manner. I having a good knowledge in building website was intrigued by this option. I have an amateur knowledge of HTML and CSS, (the basic building blocks of websites) I have practiced designing web pages in the past, and I felt that would be the perfect way to display the life of Joyner-Kersee and her rise to greatness. The template on was not sufficient in the design I was looking for so I started building it through another editor. I created the welcome page and added clean track background. It created a cohesive and dramatic effect adding on to the story. After coming up with tabs, I began to put pictures, videos, and text into the body of the pages. Then I began add information on the pages such as early life, and struggles. And then added all this to the default NHD website editor.The story of Jackie Joyner-Kersee easily relates to this years theme of Legacy and Leadership her pursuit to become a great athlete is inspiring to many. Joyner-Kersee was able to show she was too recognized and her will power was unmatchable. She off the track work also was moving, she is always willing to help others before her. Her life is a gift to the world that will be seen for a long time.