Frankfort, KY - More than one hundred student historians are headed to Frankfort for Kentucky's National History Day contest on Saturday, April 26, at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
Students from across the commonwealth in grades 6- 12 have prepared projects in various categories, including documentary, historical exhibit, performance, research paper, and Web site connected to this year's theme of "Conflict and Compromise in History." The topics of the student projects range from local and state history to American and world history.
Winners will receive cash prizes for categories including the Kentucky History Award, courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society; the Abraham Lincoln History Award, courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission; the African American History Award, courtesy of Kentucky State University; the Humanities and Arts Award, courtesy of the Kentucky Humanities Council; the Military History Award, courtesy of the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund; the Best Use of Primary Sources Award, courtesy of the Kentucky Genealogical Society; and the Becky Fitch Teacher of the Year Award, courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society. College scholarships are also awarded, courtesy of Georgetown College, to sophomore, junior, or senior high school students who win first place in an Individual category at the district and state competition level.
"Students who participate in National History Day not only achieve academically, but they also become very enthusiastic about history," says NHD state coordinator Kate Hesseldenz of the Kentucky Historical Society. "Students get so immersed in their topics that they become engaged with history."
The National History Day program is an annual, year- long program designed to promote the teaching and learning of history in America's schools. Students analyze the historical significance of their topics and present conclusions in dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, Web sites, and research papers to audiences throughout the country.
In Kentucky, the program is coordinated by the Kentucky Historical Society. Each spring, district coordinators organize five district contests, with 1500 students participating in the program statewide, which lead to the state competition. The National History Day program culminates with the national competition at the University of Maryland each June.
For more information on Kentucky's National History Day, contact Kate Hesseldenz at 502-564-1792, ext. 4477 or visit our Web site.
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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site.