Birchwood Students Advance to the National Contest of National History Day
The National History Day competition for the 2021-22 school year once again was held virtually at the regional level and the state level. In spite of the challenges that a virtual competition posed for the students, they produced some extraordinary projects and were recognized for the caliber of their historical research and the quality of their projects.
From Birchwood School of Hawken, 31 students advanced from the regional level of the competition to the state level competition held at the end of April. The results from the state contest were exceptional. Five projects placed first in their respective categories, qualifying them to compete at the national level in June.
From Birchwood School of Hawken, 31 students advanced from the regional level of the competition to the state level competition held at the end of April. The results from the state contest were exceptional. Five projects placed first in their respective categories, qualifying them to compete at the national level in June.
Isabella Bixler placed first in the individual performance category with her portrayal of the debate over police use of excessive force and the Graham v. Connor Supreme Court case. In the historical paper category, Omar Elbadawy placed first for his analysis of how the debates between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson greatly shaped America.
In the group documentary category, Aanya Lakireddy and Siya Lakireddy placed first with a documentary on the Montreal Protocol, agreed to and signed by all the United Nations member countries to protect the ozone layer.
Tarunika Saravanan and Mariana Del Rio placed first with an exhibit on Dorothea Dix, who advocated and fought for better treatment for residents in mental asylums. The fifth project qualifying for nationals was a group website by Ayat Jaffar, Joshua Chen, and Stephen Parrino on the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island and their fight for self-determination.
Tarunika Saravanan and Mariana Del Rio placed first with an exhibit on Dorothea Dix, who advocated and fought for better treatment for residents in mental asylums. The fifth project qualifying for nationals was a group website by Ayat Jaffar, Joshua Chen, and Stephen Parrino on the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island and their fight for self-determination.
Birchwood also had six entries that placed third as national alternates:1) individual performance by Emerson Krauss on the formation of Israel; 2) individual website by Jonathan Samulak on Japanese internment in WWII; 3) individual documentary by Ari Emam on the Cuban Missile Crisis; 4) group documentary by Jordan Gordon and Ben Miyares on the Dayton Peace Talks to end the Bosnian War; 5) group performance by Ishika Chand, Manya Raina, and Yara Salam on female spies in WWII; 6) group website on the Kent State shootings by Leen Salem, Melanie Statsevych, and Catherine Yang.
In addition to the numerous place finishes, Birchwood students garnered six special awards. Leen, Melanie, and Catherine received an award from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board. Jordan and Ben received an award from the Ohio Local History Alliance. Aanya and Siya received the Society of Ohio Archivists Award and the American Founding Award was given to Omar. Ari received the National Maritime Historical Award and Isabella received the African American History Award.
Congratulations to all these students and good luck at the national competition in June!
