National History Day Students Advance to National Competition

Written by: Emily Koehler (‘29)

Lawrence High School's National History Day (NHD) Club is celebrating an extraordinary achievement this year. All ten students who competed at the state level have qualified for the National History Day Contest, which will be held at the University of Maryland during the week of June 14. They will represent New Jersey on the national stage after earning top placements in highly competitive categories. Only two entries from each project category advance to the national competition, making this accomplishment especially impressive. Competing against some of the strongest projects in the state, Lawrence High School students distinguished themselves through their research and creativity. 

According to club advisor, Mrs. Patricia Taylor, "Students who participate in the NHD Club choose a topic that's interesting to them and that fits an annual theme. After researching their topic, they create a documentary, performance, exhibit, website, or paper. The 2027 NHD theme will be 'Innovation in History,' which is exciting because so many topics fit this theme, whether it's in sports, entertainment, science, technology, or pop culture."

For many of the seniors involved, it is a fitting way to conclude their high school careers. One of Lawrence's national qualifiers is the Group Performance team of seniors Micaela Boyle, Nishka Desai, Amina Ismat, Megan John, and Ridhima Pandey. Their project, Radium to Revolution: The Radium Girls' Fight for Workplace Reform, earned a first-place finish in its category.

For Megan and Nishka, this achievement is the culmination of four years of participation in National History Day, while Amina joined the program for the first time this year. The students shared that NHD has strengthened their research, writing, and analytical skills while encouraging them to explore topics they might never have encountered otherwise. Beyond academics, the experience helped them discover new interests and develop lasting friendships. One of their favorite memories from this year's competition season was spending time together at the food court during the state competition. The team expressed excitement about advancing to nationals and pride in earning one of only two spots available in their category.

Also advancing to the national competition is the Group Exhibit team of Abhijith Chitrala, Vivek Mahabir, Ryan Makino, Danny McNiece, and Om Patel for their project, The 1932 Bonus. Ryan Makino, who has participated in NHD for three years, and Danny McNiece, who has been involved for two years, reflected on the impact the club has had on their high school experience. They noted that NHD helped them develop valuable skills in critical thinking, historical research, analysis, communication, and public speaking, all skills that they believe will benefit them long after graduation. One of their favorite memories was the time spent working together outside of school to complete their project. Those hours of collaboration not only strengthened their exhibit, but also brought the team closer together as friends.

As these ten students prepare to compete against the nation's best young historians, they carry with them the pride of their school and community. Their success reflects countless hours of research, teamwork, and perseverance, and Lawrence High School wishes them the best of luck as they represent New Jersey at the National History Day Contest!