Students in Field’s National History Day Club competed against more than 2,000 students in the National History Day Competition at Howard University in March. The annual project-based competition centers around a unique theme, which requires students to do in-depth research and present their findings in the form of an essay, a website, a documentary, or a performance. This year’s theme was "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History."
History Teacher Dr. Kim Yates and History Department Chair Steve Brennan started the club at Field this year as a way to prepare students who planned to enter the competition. They worked with them on honing their specific topics that connected to the theme and they discussed how to ask meaningful questions, evaluate sources more effectively, and distinguish between reliable and unreliable information.
The projects from Field students spanned a range of historical periods from sibling rivalries in the Carolingian Empire to how the Suffragette Movement used clothing as a tactical instrument for reform. “The research area was up to the student, as long as they could draw tangible and original connections to the year's theme—students went in all directions," Steve said.
Alex '31 said he has always has a passion for antique toys and history—which guided his topic for the project: an analysis of toys as symbols of racial struggle in the early 20th century. "When I was 7, I took a trip to Vermont, and found an antique store selling toy cars from the 1920s. I loved them so much I wanted to learn more. Toys may seem trivial and not fit the NHD theme, but after I came across the National Negro Doll Company, I knew I was on to something," Alex shared.
Noah '31 researched the global reactions from nations and alliances to the Tiananmen Square Massacre, as well as the global significance and lasting historical effects of the event.
Students worked on their projects over the course of the year and even had the opportunity to receive some verbal feedback from the Deputy Director of the DC History Center in February.
Three Field students placed in the competition and two will head to the National Competition in June. Congratulations to Alex ’31 and Noah ’31 for placing first in the Junior Website and Junior Essay categories, respectively. Duru ’28 placed third in the Senior Essay category. Max '29 and Charlotte '28 did incredibly well in the presentation category and Aidan '28 did the group proud in the senior essay competition.
Steve says the research process for this competition lends itself to the history department’s focus on intellectual independence. “To see these guys using some of these skills in evaluating sources for bias and reliability, comparing multiple perspectives, constructing evidence-based arguments in such a personal and profound way was deeply heartening. They did some stellar work here that I hope they remember and are able to build on in years to come,” he explained.
Noah '31 says that putting together his historical paper felt like a massive accomplishment—one he is proud to share. "There was an extreme amount of work that I needed to put into the paper, and at many points, I doubted if I would be able to complete it," he said.
Alex '31 said the takeaway from this experience was very rewarding. "Overall the project was stressful and I kept doubting myself, but in the end, I already won: I learned something new about history and shared it with others. I also learned how to defend my research," he said.
