BPMS Student’s Project Selected for National History Day Contest

BPMS Student’s Project Selected for National History Day Contest

Boulan 8th grader Iniya Kumar recently learned that a historical documentary she created was selected as one of only 34 in the nation to be shown at the Smithsonian National Showcase during this year’s National History Day contest.

Kumar’s documentary is entitled “The Story of Acceptance Without Exception: The Stonewall Riots' Effect on the Gay Rights Movement,” and she chose this topic because it was something that has not really been discussed and it is often suppressed throughout history. “Everyone knows what Pride Month is but may not know that it is possible because of the Stonewall Riots,” said Kumar, which was the catalyst for decades of a movement and has really inspired her. "Especially because I am someone that is not part of the LGBTQ+ community, I wanted to create an unbiased documentary that showed the dedication these activists had."

Boulan has been participating in this contest for the past 5 years, during which time they have had 8 projects qualify for the national Competition. Said History Teacher Erika Berger: “I was so proud of Iniya for being selected for the showcase. She has put in a tremendous amount of work on her NHD Project this year and so deserved this amazing honor!”

Kumar’s documentary will actually be available to view on Monday, June 13 at 10 am via the following link: https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/national-history-day-at-nmaahc-student-documentary-showcase-2022/kIAzLJawrEuTd2GF

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. For more information, visit https://www.nhd.org/.

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Photo courtesy of Troy School District