NORWICH – Students at Morrisville State received a surprise recently when they showed up for history class. In place of their instructor was an eighth grade student from Norwich Middle School, who spent the next two hours and twenty minutes discussing the history of Norwich industries.

Thirteen year old John Antonowicz developed an interest in Norwich history after visiting the Chenango County Historical Society with his grandmother when he was 11. Soon he began volunteering at the historical society, and in his time there, he has helped compile information on his favorite topic, businesses that were once part of Norwich. “I’m especially interested in industries,” Antonowicz said. “There were a lot more than what people can see.”

Although Antonowicz had previously spoken about history in classes at the Norwich schools, this was his first opportunity to lecture before a college class. Social Studies Teacher Matt Maholchic first approached Antonowicz about doing the lecture, and Antonowicz quickly agreed.

The eighth grader said the class of approximately eight students seemed surprised by how much the middle schooler knew about local history. “Before I started off, I asked if anybody knew anything about local history, and they didn’t know much,” Antonowicz said.