A total of 104 students from Val Verde Unified School District took part in the district-level National History Day competition recently. Over 20 entries comprised of 57 students were selected as district finalists and will go on to represent their school at the county competition which takes place at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley on March 16, 2019.
National History Day is an academic enrichment program for students in grades 4-12. Students select topics connected to an annual theme and complete their own in-depth research on the topic. This year, the annual theme is Triumph and Tragedy. Students present their conclusions by creating museum-style exhibits, media documentaries, research papers, interactive websites, and dramatic performances. The school event is the first step in a competition cycle that can take students from the school level to regional, state, and national competitions. At each level of competition students share their work with their peers, historians, educators, and professionals in related fields as they compete for special awards and the opportunity to advance to the next level of the competition. Participation in the program continues to grow with more than 500,000 students participating annually across the nation.
“National History Day allows students to showcase their 21st Century skills in a variety of formats while obtaining a deep understanding and appreciation of history,” said Kory Bootsma, Val Verde Unified School District National History Day Coordinator.