HCPSS Students Advance to State History Day Competition

April 9th, 2020

The Howard County Public School System recently hosted its 16th annual History Day Competition. This year’s event, sponsored by the Office of Secondary Social Studies and the Gifted and Talented Education Program, included 184 project entries presented by 268 students, representing 22 middle and six high schools.

Due to state-mandated closures, judging was conducted virtually. More than 85 HCPSS teachers, staff, Board of Education members, county government representatives, university interns, business partners and community members served as judges to remotely evaluate student entries.

Students in grades 6-12 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 districtwide 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.

HCPSS awarded first, second and third place winners in each of five categories: exhibit, performance, documentary, historical paper, and website. A new Dr. Mark J. Stout Excellence in Historical Research Award was awarded to one entry. In addition, 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.

The top two entries in each category will advance to the state competition, which will be held virtually in May.