NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STATE CONTEST 2024 RECAP
The 2024 National History Day (NHD) in New Mexico State competition concluded with overwhelming success last month, with 24 schools and 217 middle and high school students participating from across the state. This year’s theme, “Turning Points in History,” inspired a wide array of topics from…
SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL HISTORY DAY JUDGE
History Day judges play an important role in the success of our History Day program, serving not only as evaluators of student projects but also as mentors and educators who inspire the next generation of young historians. They are fundamental to the program, offering their time and knowledge to…
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STATE CONTEST APRIL 13TH
A total of 216 students with 120 projects will compete in New Mexico National History Day at the University of New Mexico, marking our biggest state competition in years. Students, ranging from grades 6 through 12 and coming from a wide variety of schools across New Mexico—from Lordsburg to…
REGISTRATION: NM NHD REGIONAL CONTESTS: IT’S CONTEST TIME
The 2024 Regional National History Day contests are upon us, with the guiding theme of ‘Turning Points in History.’ This theme invites exploration into questions of time, place, cause and effect and the impact of pivotal moments that have shaped our world. Whether you’re a teacher, student, judge…
FOR THE BECKS, NHD IS A FAMILY AFFAIR
At the 2023 New Mexico State National History Day contest, four brothers from Silver City took home first place medals: Anson Beck in senior group website, Isaac Beck in Senior Group Documentary, Joshua Beck in Senior Individual Documentary, and Jonathan Beck in Junior Group Website. Isaac and Jo…
STAFF UPDATE: INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST MEMBER
Please join us in welcoming Stephanie Wilson as our new full-time NHD (National History Day) Contest Coordinator. Stephanie brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously taught NHD at Hope Christian School, Rio Rancho Middle School, and Tony Hillerman Middle School. She holds a mas…
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY JUDGE TRAINING WORKSHOPS
With a population that is 48 percent Hispano and more than 10 percent Indigenous, fewer than 10 percent of the judges for New Mexico’s National History Day program are people of color. We are working to change this. Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and partnerships…
EMPOWERING EDUCATORS WITH NATIONAL HISTORY DAY WORKSHOPS
Lynne O’Hara, Program Director for National History Day, visited New Mexico in October to conduct teacher workshops in Albuquerque and Farmington. Lynne’s dynamic program included lessons on how to analyze primary sources and how to evaluate NHD projects. A total of 24 educators participated, rep…
N.M. STUDENTS BRING HOME AWARDS FROM THE NATIONAL NHD CONTEST
National History Day announced this year’s prize winners on Thursday, June 15, at the 2023 National Contest awards ceremony, held in person for the first time in four years. More than 2,600 students and 600 teachers attended the National Contest, which took place on the university campus in College Park, Md., from June 10–15. The ceremony was the culmination, not only of the week-long contest, but also of a year of student research, project creation, and competition.
New Mexico students competed well, with McKenzie Satterfield and Aubrey Shelby of Moriarty High School in Moriarty, N.M., placing second in senior group exhibit; Heights Middle School in Farmington, N.M., students Genevieve Petersen and Grace McWilliams receiving the junior award for outstanding entry in the History of the Physical Sciences & Technology; and students Elizabeth McDonald, Isaac Beck and Kylee Jones of Silver High in Silver City, N.M., taking home the award for United States Marine Corps History.
“We are incredibly proud of the 62 New Mexico students who competed at the national contest this year,” said state coordinator Heather McClenahan. “They learned so much while working on their projects, had a blast exploring the nation’s capital and meeting their competitors, and they showed why our motto is ‘Fear the chile!’”
During the 2022–2023 school year, over half a million students globally completed projects centered around the theme, Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas, in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Throughout the spring, students competed in a series of contests beginning at the local level. The top students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., U.S. territories, and international schools were invited to compete in the National Contest.
“It’s great to be back in person after three years of virtual contests,” said NHD Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “Every year, NHD students surprise and inspire me with their enthusiasm, innovative thinking, and tireless research. The analytical skills they have cultivated will stand them in good stead for their future educational endeavors. Congratulations to the over half a million students globally who participated and to the thousands of teachers who guided them.” More than 400 historians and education professionals served as judges for the students’ work. $150,000 in scholarships were awarded at the national awards ceremony, and over 100 students took home cash prizes between $250 and $1,000 for superior work.
N.M. STUDENT PROJECT SELECTED FOR SHOWCASE AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
Lillah Berkson, a 7th grade student at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy in Las Cruces, will have her National History Day exhibit featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on Wednesday, June 14.
National History Day is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation and creative expression for sixth to twelfth-grade students. By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and affiliate levels and an annual national competition in the nation’s capital in June.
Next week, 2,649 students from 54 NHD affiliates will arrive in College Park, Maryland to compete at the NHD National Contest. These students were mentored by 1,114 teachers.
NHD Exhibit Showcase at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Title: Adolf Hitler: A Pioneer Of Propaganda In The Media
Student: Lillah Berkson
Teacher: Morgan Harding
School: Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy (Las Cruces)
Student projects can be viewed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 10 am to 5:30 pm.