BROOKINGS – National History Day is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for sixth- to 12th-grade students through project-based learning. 

The program promotes a love of research and history, as well as the development of critical thinking, writing and research skills. 

Students have the freedom to choose between the following project types: research paper, documentary, website, performance, or exhibit. Students may create either an individual or group project, with the exclusion of the paper category. which is individual only. 

Students are allowed to pick a historical topic of their choice, as long as it relates back to the NHD yearly theme. This freedom of topic choice gives students the opportunity to explore history through their own interests and often gives them a voice to share their personal interests, histories, and cultures with an audience. The 2022 NHD theme is “Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences.”

Mickelson Middle School eighth-grader Alex Kidangathazhe placed second at the State National History Day Virtual Competition in April and for qualifying for the Virtual National History Day National Competition in June in the Junior Individual Website Category.  

Kidangathazhe will compete in the virtual national competition this June.  

Kidangathazhe also received the Junior Military History Award in the Junior Individual Website Category as well.  

Eighth-graders Sam Caugherty and Joseph Michna and seventh-graders Shaurya Sehgal and William Jin placed third in the Group Website Junior Category at state.