Henry County Schools to Send Largest Group from Georgia to National History Day Competition

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools is sending 22 students presenting 10 group and individual projects to the National History Day (NHD) competition June 14-18 at the University of Maryland – by far the largest group from a school district in Georgia. 

Seven of the projects selected for the national event are from Ola Middle School. The other three are from Union Grove Middle School, Ola High School, and Woodland High School. 

Representation from HCS at National History Day has steadily increased in recent years. A total of 16 students presenting eight projects were selected last year, and eight students presenting four projects went to nationals in 2024. 

HCS has achieved success at NHD thanks in part to teachers who are familiar with the work and depth of thinking required to compete.  

The national qualifiers were supported by teachers Zachary Barfield of Ola Middle School, Karen Hunley of Union Grove Middle School, and Melanie Kellam of Woodland High School. 

The district also partners with Georgia Humanities and the Henry County Public Library System to support teachers and students in their projects. 

Students who participate in National History Day research and analyze a topic of their choice. Students present an exhibit, paper, documentary, website, or performance, integrating the arts. The work requires critical, analytical thinking. During the yearlong process, students learn to collaborate, manage time, write, revise, present, and persevere. The experience prepares them for college, career, and citizenship.  

“National History Day has completely transformed our classrooms – students are engaged, teachers are empowered, and history feels alive,” said Dr. Kimberly Nicole Miles, Social Studies Professional Learning Specialist and Regional NHD Director for Henry County Schools. “By shifting our district approach from passive coordination to aggressive, side-by-side coaching, we made historical research accessible to every student, proving that when you elevate the support, our youth will always rise to meet the rigor.” 

The following projects were selected for the national contest after placing in the statewide competition in April: 

• “How the ‘Little White House’ Navigated Polio: A Revolution in Quarantining, Reaction to Pandemics, and the Reform of the Salk Vaccine” 
  Elizabeth Johns, Aidan Massey, and Elsa Trader 
  Ola Middle School 
  First place in Junior Group Documentary 

• “Soweto Uprising” 
  Kennedy Hightower, Mia Lockett, Yassin Manneh, Chloe Sykes, and Paityn Sykes 
  Ola Middle School 
  Second place in Junior Group Documentary 

• “Revolution N.O.W! How Women’s Reactions Have Differed Over the E.R.A. Reform” 
  Zara Barcliff, Zoey Jules, Jade Myers-Foster, Madyson Schuck, and Kayli Thomas 
  Ola Middle School 
  Second place in Junior Group Performance 

• “Russian Revolution” 
  Cameron Anderson, Aiden Jackson, Eliab Videz, and Aiden Whisenant 
  Ola Middle School 
  Second place in Junior Group Website and Junior Outstanding Entry in Military History 

• “The Romanian Revolution: The Reaction to Romanian Nicolae Ceaușescu and How a Bullet Reformed Their Nation” 
  Daniela Tarancon Colmenares 
  Ola Middle School 
  First place in Junior Individual Exhibit and Junior Outstanding Individual Entry in Economic History 

• “Barbara Walters Through the Years” 
  Natalie Robles Cruz 
  Union Grove Middle School 
  First place in Junior Individual Performance 

• “Exclusive Interview with Lester Maddox” 
  Patton Wright 
  Ola Middle School 
  Second place in Junior Individual Performance 

• “How Ellen Church Revolutionized Female Careers in Commercial Air” 
  Maddison Dobzynski 
  Ola Middle School 
  Second place in Junior Paper 

• “Atlanta Prison Farm” 
  Brody Cunningham 
  Woodland High School 
  First place in Senior Individual Documentary and Senior Individual Outstanding Use of the Digital Library of Georgia 

• “Hazel Scott’s Reaction to Segregated Entertainment: The Reformation of the Black Star” 
  Morgan Walker 
  Ola High School 
  First place in Senior Individual Performance 

Additionally, Cory Ivins of Woodland Middle School was selected as an alternate for the national competition after placing third at state in the Junior Paper category for “A Revolution Unfinished: The Reaction to Shays’ Rebellion and the Reform of American Government.” 

A total of 71 students from Georgia will compete in the national contest.