MCPS recently shared that five student teams from achieved national acclaim for their projects at this year’s National History Day competition. The annual event, held June 8-12 at the University of Maryland, College Park, brought together nearly 3,000 students from across the United States and abroad.
Students competed individually or in teams, presenting their work across various categories including paper, performance, exhibit, website, and documentary. To reach the national stage, participants must secure victories at local, district, and state levels, with the top two projects in each category advancing. Maryland’s representation included 24 teams– half of which hailed from MCPS.
A standout entry came from Sligo Middle School, where students Lydia Garside and Genevieve Lichtenberger received the Special Prize for U.S. Women’s History. Their exhibit, also a finalist for the Junior Group Exhibit, explored historical themes that continue to resonate with young people today.
“In looking at the long-term impact of our project, Lydia and I chose it because we wanted a say in decisions that affect our lives,” said Genevieve. “We wanted to explore a topic in history that still affects us today. Even though we can’t vote yet, we will one day,” added Lydia.
Their unexpected national victory made the experience even more memorable. “We didn’t know we had won at first—when we heard ‘Silver Spring,’ we started cheering,” Genevieve recalled. “It was unexpected and thrilling.” Lydia echoed the sentiment: “Once we heard our names, we felt extremely accomplished.” Below is the complete list of MCPS winners:
• First Place, Junior Individual Performance
Franka Hebisch, Eastern Middle School
Teacher: Abigail Petit
Category: Junior Individual Performance
Title: Corporate Tyranny: Upholding Worker’s and Women’s Rights and Owners Responsibilities During the Match Girls Strike of 1888
• Special Prize Winner, Discovery or Exploration in History and Junior Individual Performance Finalist
Maya Mourshed, Francis Scott Key Middle School
Teacher: Steve O’Shaughnessy
Category: Junior Individual Performance
Title: Hello, Dolly!: How a Sheep Provoked Debate About the Implications of Breakthrough Scientific Advancements on Society
• Special Prize Winner, U.S. Women’s History and Junior Group Exhibit Finalist
Genevieve Lichtenberger and Lydia Garside, Sligo Middle School
Teacher: Jason Smith
Category: Junior Group Exhibit
Title: Women’s Right to Vote: Before and After the 19th Amendment
• Senior Outstanding Entry and Senior Group Website Finalist
Jacob Frias, Nikhil Pandey, Nuaimaan Tewfik, and Emmanuel Getahun, Poolesville High School
Teacher: Stephanie Gomer
Category: Senior Group Website
Title: The Salute that Changed The World: The 1968 Black Power Salute
• Senior Individual Website Finalist
Chloe Chang, Poolesville High School
Teacher: Stephanie Gomer
Category: Senior Individual Website
Title: Making WAVES: The First Women’s Reserve in the Navy