Howard County Students Advance To State History Day Competition

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Dozens of Howard County Public School System students will advance to the state History Day Competition after the top three winners in numerous entry levels were selected virtually during the 16th annual event. Almost 200 project entries were presented by 268 students representing 22 middle and six high schools. The state competition will be held virtually in May.

More than 85 HCPSS teachers, staff, education board members, county government representatives, university interns, business partners and community members served as judges to remotely evaluate student entries. Students in sixth through 12th grades conducted research related to this year’s National History Day theme, "breaking barriers in history." Students analyzed information, drew conclusions and created a History Day project to submit for review first at the school level and then at the district-wide regional competition. Following state and national guidelines, HCPSS implemented a virtual competition in which students shared videos, photos and supporting documents from their projects to be evaluated.

The five categories were exhibit, performance, documentary, historical paper and website. A new Dr. Mark J. Stout Excellence in Historical Research Award was awarded to one entry and eight special awards were given by the event sponsors: The Council of Elders of Howard County, the Howard County Historical Society, PFLAG of Howard County, Patapsco Heritage Greenway and the Howard County Women’s Bar Association. The Office of Secondary Social Studies also awarded the title of Howard County History Day Teacher of the Year to Oakland Mills Middle School Media Specialist Jennifer Hamilton. See the complete list of Howard County History Day winners.