Five student teams from this year’s National History Day competition received national recognition for their projects, according to a recent announcement from MCPS. Nearly 3,000 students from all across the United States and beyond attended the yearly event, which took place at the University of Maryland, College Park, from June 8–12.
Students presented their work in a variety of categories, such as paper, performance, exhibit, website, and documentary, and competed either alone or in groups. The top two projects in each category advance, and contestants must win at the municipal, district, and state levels in order to advance to the national stage. Of the 24 teams that represented Maryland, half were from MCPS.
Students Lydia Garside and Genevieve Lichtenberger from Sligo Middle School won the Special Prize for U.S. Women’s History, making their submission particularly noteworthy. Their display, which was also a finalist for the Junior Group display, examined historical subjects that still have relevance for today’s youth.
When considering the project’s long-term effects, Genevieve explained, “Lydia and I chose it because we wanted a say in decisions that affect our lives.” We wanted to investigate a historical issue that continues to influence us today. Lydia added, “We can’t vote yet, but we will one day.”
It was made even more remarkable by their surprising national victory. When we first heard Silver Spring, we cheered without realizing we had won, Genevieve recounted. It was exciting and surprising. Lydia agreed, saying that we felt quite successful after hearing our names. The full list of MCPS winners is provided below:
Junior Individual Performance, First PlaceFranka Hebisch, Middle School in the EastInstructor: Abigail PetitCategory: Individual Performance of JuniorsTitle: Tyranny at Work: Maintaining the Rights of Workers and Women and the Obligations of Owners During the 1888 Match Girls Strike
Junior Individual Performance Finalist, Discovery or Exploration in History, and Special Prize WinnerFrancis Scott Key Middle School’s Maya MourshedSteve O. Shaughnessy is the instructor.Category: Individual Performance of JuniorsTitle: Hi, Dolly!: How a Sheep Started a Discussion About the Social Consequences of Groundbreaking Scientific Discoveries
Finalists for the Junior Group Exhibit and Special Prize Winner for U.S. Women’s History, Genevieve Lichtenberger and Lydia Garside, Sligo Middle SchoolInstructor: Jason SmithCategory: Exhibit for Junior GroupTitle: Women’s Voting Rights: Prior to and Following the 19th Amendment
Finalists for Senior Group Website and Senior Outstanding EntryEmmanuel Getahun, Jacob Frias, Nikhil Pandey, and Nuaimaan Tewfik, Poolesville High SchoolInstructor: Stephanie GomerCategory: Website for Senior GroupsTitle: The 1968 Black Power Salute: The Salute That Revolutionized the World
Finalist for Senior Individual WebsitePoolesville High School’s Chloe ChangInstructor: Stephanie GomerCategory: Website for Senior IndividualsTitle: Creating Waves: The Navy’s First Women’s Reserve
