Local students capture top honors at
Vermont Historical Society’s annual Vermont History Day
On Saturday, March 27th, over 100 students from across Vermont met at Spaulding High School in Barre, to compete for prizes and the prestigious opportunity to represent Vermont at the National History Day finals on June 13-17 at the University of Maryland near Washington, D.C.
This year’s theme: “Innovation in History: Impact and Change” drew an abundance of entries with research projects ranging from websites to scholarly papers presented for judging at Spaulding High School, in Barre. Top honors and a chance to represent Vermont at National History Day in June were awarded to students from Black River High School, Burlington High School, Ferrisburgh Central School, Milton High School, Mt. Abraham Union High School, Poultney Elementary School, Proctor Junior-Senior High School, Thetford Academy, Vergennes Union Middle School, Vergennes Union High School and Wells Village School.
“I really love the amazing opportunities Vermont History Day presents to students to learn about our history and how we got where we are today. The program also promotes personal growth by providing students the opportunity to develop the poise and confidence that comes from real world experience,” said Mark Hudson, Executive Director of the Vermont Historical Society.
Vermont History Day is an education program that encourages students to study history, and share the knowledge they have gained. The program is open to Vermont students in grades six through twelve, including home study students. Working individually or in small groups, students choose an historic event on a topic related to the National History Day annual theme. With research done in libraries, museums, and historical societies, as well as interviews and site visits, students prepare papers, exhibits, documentaries, web sites, or performances as entries. The projects are then judged by local historians, educators, and other professionals. Through their work, students gain a deeper understanding of how people, cultures, and events affect the course of history.
The Vermont Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that operates the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, the Leahy Library in Barre, and programming throughout the state. Established in 1838, its purpose is to reach a broad audience through outstanding collections and statewide outreach. The Vermont Historical Society believes that an understanding of the past changes lives and builds better communities. Visit the Society’s web site at www.vermonthistory.org for directions, admission fees, and hours, or call Vermont History Education Programs Manager Victoria Hughes at 802-828-1413.
