Central College will celebrate its 10-year anniversary of hosting the regional National History Day competition. On March 27, more than 300 area students from grades six through 12 will visit Central to present their projects for this year’s theme, “Leadership and Legacy in History.”
The students, either individually or in a group, will present their project in the form of a research paper, documentary, website, performance or an exhibit about a person who they believe represents leadership and legacy.
The projects will be judged with the help of Central faculty and staff, students, retired Central employees, alumni and members of the Pella community. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, a special invitation was sent to all Central alumni from 2005-14 who have judged in the past 10 years inviting them back to judge.
“It is kind of amazing that we have done this for 10 years, but we keep getting positive comments on the day and rave reviews from teachers,” said Lori Witt, associate professor of history and History Day coordinator. “Central has been a gracious host—from the facilities team that sets up all the tables in the banquet hall, to the judges who mostly come from Central alumni and the Pella community, to the faculty, staff and students,” said Witt.
The top two winners from each category of the regional competition will advance to the state competition held May 4 at the Iowa Events Center. The top two from state will continue to the national competition held at the University of Maryland in June.
National History Day is a nationwide competition in which more than half a million students from across the country participate each year. The educational competition is sponsored by the History Channel, several corporate sponsors and the University of Maryland.
