National History Day Members Win Big at State Competition
- Cameron Foster
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Pranav Vaddepalli (‘26) & Abhijith Chitrala (‘26)
On May 3rd, 2025, William Paterson University hosted this year’s New Jersey state National History Day (NHD) competition. This year’s theme for NHD is "Rights and Responsibilities". Lawrence High School’s NHD team depicted the theme of rights and responsibilities through many interesting topics such as the Enron Scandal, Seabrook Farms, the 1968 Miss America protest, the Kent State protest, and more in history through various methods, such as exhibits, documentaries, websites, performances, and historical papers, showcasing their vast historical knowledge.
The event space was filled with exhibits, which transformed it into a visual journey through history. The students creatively displayed their research findings by combining images, artifacts, and compelling narratives to captivate the audience and judges alike. These exhibits served as tangible expressions of historical exploration, depicting the past in a captivating manner.
Documentaries brought history to life on the screen, with students skillfully weaving together narratives, interviews, and historical footage. The cinematic approach added a captivating dimension to the event, offering a unique perspective on historical events and figures.
Through an interactive presentation, websites served as virtual portals into the past. Participants leveraged technology to craft interactive platforms, seamlessly blending information and multimedia elements. The digital landscape became a canvas for historical storytelling, allowing for engaging and immersive experiences.
The various competitions highlighted the many different aspects of historical research and investigation. Students demonstrated not only their research skills but also their creativity, innovation, and ability to communicate historical narratives effectively.
Throughout the day, it was clear that the NHD New Jersey state event at William Paterson University was not simply a competition, but a celebration of history. The students’ projects left an enduring impression, adding to our collective knowledge and appreciation of the past. The event emphasized the need to encourage a love for history and research among the younger generations, guaranteeing that past stories will continue to be shared and remembered.
Ultimately, the team proved to be an unstoppable force, with 10 out of the 15 Lawrence state-competitors achieving qualification to compete at the NHD national competition.
The qualifying entries are:
Senior Group Documentaries (1st Place, Nationals Qualifier): Jiyaa Revankar, Rishith Tenepalli, Isaac Park, and Matthew Martinez (All Seniors)
Senior Individual Exhibits (3rd Place, Nationals Alternative):Â
Pranav Vaddepalli (Junior)
Senior Group Exhibits (3rd Place, Nationals Alternative): Ryan Makino, Vivek Mahabir, Om Patel, Abhijith Chitrala, and Danny McNiece (All Juniors)
The next stop for these future historians is at the University of Maryland from June 8-12, where they will face off against the best across the nation and hopefully triumph against them all. We wish team Lawrence all the best of luck!
