NHD: Learn history to lead the future (UPDATED)
March 6, 2015
UPDATED March 8, 2014/7:15 p.m.
After advancing from local NHD at CHS on February 7, participants were invited to Messiah College on March 7 for the regional competition. Facing off against competitors from multiple school districts, 23 middle school and high school students from Carlisle moved on and will attend the statewide contest May 12 and May 13.
Those students are:
Junior Individual Exhibits
1ST PLACE – Nick Bowman
Senior Individual Exhibits
3RD PLACE – Claire Neiberg
Senior Group Exhibits
1ST PLACE – Sam Blumenthal, Erik Praestgaard, Coldby Mitchell, Abby Robinson, Ames Williford
2ND PLACE – Sami Jumper, Brooklyn Norrell, Kristian Cooper
Senior Documentaries Group
1ST PLACE – Johanna Bear & Ben Ulrich
2ND PLACE – Lauren Pantleo, Julia Pantleo, Holland Spears
Junior Individual Website
2ND PLACE – Samantha Martin
Senior Group Websites
1ST PLACE – John Newton, Bart Winn, Steven Hume
3RD PLACE – Alec Todd, Aidan Sullivan
Senior Papers
1ST PLACE – Gillian Morton
2ND PLACE – Scott Bowser
For more than a quarter of a century, National History Day (NHD) has been allowing students to contest their historical knowledge and ability to adhere to the competition’s theme by creating a paper, documentary, exhibit, website, or performance.
Today, the event draws in more than half a million participants across the United States.
On Saturday, March 7, students from various local schools will gather at Messiah College to compete and hopefully advance to the state competition held at Millersville University.
Related: Record turnout of students leads to impressive History Day results
However, the road to Messiah, Millersville, and then nationals is not an easy one, according to some of the 50+ CHS students taking part in Regional NHD after placing at locals in February.
Samantha Jumper, a sophomore who completed a group exhibit, competed at NHD for “the chance to learn about things.” Jumper felt a challenging aspect of the project is the competition is “very competitive and they research and plan extensively.”
Sam Chambers, a senior who was also part of a group exhibit, thought it was most difficult “answering the questions the judges had for us.”
Aside form student involvement, staff members play an important role in the preparations.
Christina Cook, a U.S. History teacher in Swartz, is also the advisor of the NHD club and judges at the competition. Cook sees NHD as a great opportunity to “stand out when applying to colleges and universities.”
Kevin Wagner, head of the Social Studies department, also views NHD as a beneficial experience. He said the competition helps “to teach students important literary skills” and then “challenges them to expand their thinking.”
National History Day, although with its aforementioned difficulties, equips participants with abilities they can take well beyond the classroom.
Kenleigh Peet • Mar 26, 2015 at 12:19 pm
A huge round of applause for everyone who participated in this year’s history day. I know that it is a LOT of work and each project takes a very dedicated student to make it great. These people work hard not only to explain different parts of human history, but also to bring these events to life. You guys are awesome!
Sofie Praestgaard • Mar 25, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Firstly, I’m so proud of my bro Erik and his group. I was in a group in the exhibit category last year, and made it to states as well. The state competition is really fun and informative. Honestly, History Day was vital to my high school learning experience. Not only did I learn about a unique piece of Carlisle’s own history, but I improved my writing and analysis skills for the future and bonded with a great and smart group of people.
Julia Vichnevetsky • Mar 9, 2015 at 10:24 am
I did not even know about the National History Day competition until I came to this school. I think that it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and show off what they can do. It’s great that so many students from this school participate in it!