National History Day is a annual event that allows students to compete against other students from different schools. It was founded in 1974 by Dr. David Van Tassell.

“I have previously participated in National History Day, it was a lot of fun,” freshmen Riley Steinman said.

High school and middle school students are allowed to participate in NHD. Over half a million of students participate and 3,000 students advance. There is a variety of topics to choose from and ways to present your information. From the experience students develop new learning and communication skills.

“We most likely have a for sure spot in state, since there is only one performance group,” Steinman said. “I recommend participating, I had a lot of fun last year and this year’s going great, too.”

Each year there are 30,000 teachers who participate in NHD. On the website for NHD, teachers can find sites to provide for their students to help them get started. There are sources to help guide the teachers on how to prepare the students as well.

“Each of the past two years I’ve had two groups each year make it to state, 10 total students. One group two years ago won state and advanced to the national contest,” BHS World History teacher Donald Blanchat said.

Many teachers are required to make their students participate in NHD as part of the curriculum. At Baldwin High School, freshmen are not required to participate unless they are in the Honors World History. People often miss out on the opportunity to expand their knowledge in such an amazing event.

“NHD would have been a neat thing to compete in, I don’t know if I would have seen the benefit when I was in high school,” Blanchat said.

The experience is different for students and teachers. Teachers see the growth in their students, that the students may not see.

“I like the high level research this needs to be done to be successful. I like that they get to compete and each student goes in front of a judge to defend their work,” Blanchat said.