Students Bring History to Life in Norwich

NOTE: Not photographed with Emma Haslip and Ryan Cort, were their team members Hannah Lambert and Tristan Lambert.

A total of 182 middle and high school students made history come alive on March 9, 2024, by taking part in the Connecticut History Day Norwich Regional Contest at Norwich Free Academy. Students presented a total of 114 research projects that included performances, papers, documentaries, exhibits, and websites in hopes of advancing to the State Contest on May 4 at Central Connecticut State University.

The Norwich event is one of five Connecticut History Day Regional Contests held this spring. They are the culmination of months of intense study and project development. Students have chosen topics related to the 2024 theme of Turning Points in History. They then conducted research and interviewed experts to shape their findings into sound historical arguments. Working alone or in groups, students had the opportunity to present projects in one of five categories – exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, or performances.

“Thank you to our friends at Norwich Free Academy for hosting the Norwich Regional Contest,” said Rebecca Taber, Director of Secondary Education Programs for The Connecticut Democracy Center. “We are excited and impressed with the level of research conducted by the hundreds of participating students and the creativity and hard work they put into their projects!”

The competition requires students to be interviewed by a panel of judges to discuss and answer questions about their projects. Judges include educators, historians, and history lovers who volunteer to serve at the regional and state competitions. Judges then select the top four in each of the five categories. The competition is open to the public with students representing public, private and home schools. Students can enter as part of a history class, school club, or as an individual.

“Participating in History Day helps students build essential skills for life and learning,” said Karen Cook, Head of History & Social Studies at Norwich Free Academy. “They learn how to build a strong argument and communicate the results of their inquiry through exhibits, documentaries, performances, papers and websites. Furthermore, they analyze history to reveal its relevance both locally and globally. This program has opened so many doors for our students and ignited their enthusiasm to compete at the national level.”

During the competition students had time to explore Slater Memorial Museum. The awards ceremony featured Doug Dubitsky, (R) House 47, Derrel Wilson, (D) House 46, and Kevin Ryan, (D) House 139.

A full list of the winning students and entries has been posted at https://bit.ly/historydayctWINNERS on historydayct.org. Students placing in the top four spots in each category and division (Juniors - grades 6 to 8 and Seniors - grades 9 to 12) will be invited to the Connecticut History Day State Contest. Students that place in the top two at the State Contest are eligible to participate in the National History Day Contest.

Follow Connecticut History Day on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or visit the program’s website at historydayct.org. For more information, contact State Coordinator, Rebecca Taber, at (860) 240-5342 or info@historydayct.org or visit National History Day at nhd.org.

An affiliate program of National History Day, Connecticut History Day (CHD) is a Connecticut Democracy Center program in residence at Connecticut's Old State House. An affiliate program of National History Day, Connecticut History Day (CHD) is a Connecticut Democracy Center program in residence at Connecticut's Old State House. CHD. Support has been provided to CTDC through a partnership Grant with Connecticut Humanities. Additional support is received from the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the New Haven Museum and the Franklin Foundation. For more information, visit www.historydayct.org.

-000-

The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) provides people with a lifetime pathway to active citizenship and the tools to take civic action in their own communities. CTDC strengthens civic engagement in the Constitution State by providing comprehensive and unbiased educational programming and outreach on state government, civics, history, and citizenship, particularly through signature programs: Kid Governor®, Connecticut History Day, We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, and The Connecticut Democracy Center Debate Tournamen.t