Press Release
June 20, 2024
Contact: Sarah Dumas
Oklahoma History Center Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0785
sarah.dumas@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/historyday
Dozens of Oklahoma Students Compete at National History Day Contest in Maryland
OKLAHOMA CITY—More than 60 students from Oklahoma competed at the National History Day contest in Maryland from June 9 to 13. The theme for 2024 was “Turning Points in History,” with more than half a million students competing worldwide in regional and state competitions.
One student won first place overall:
- Hannah Hoffman of Canton High School for her senior individual exhibit titled “From Vast Wasteland to Educational Tool: The Birth of Children’s Television Workshop”
Four Oklahoma students placed first in round one and advanced to the finals at National History Day. They are:
- Daydree Horne and Lexi Kruse of Morrison Elementary School for their junior group performance titled “Tornado Eras: Turning Points in Tornado Warnings;” Horne and Kruse placed eighth nationwide
- Irilynn Jones and Keller Jones of Canton Elementary School for their junior group performance titled “The Night Santa Claus Died: The Babbs Switch Fire;” Jones and Jones placed seventh nationwide and also won a special award called “Untold Stories in History.”
Seven students from Oklahoma received an honorable mention for their entry and were in the top 20% of the contest. They are:
- Brooke Pope and Brooklyn Green of Canton High School for their senior group exhibit titled “The Match Girls Strike: The Spark That Ignited New Unionism”
- Ella Epperson and Khushi Mody of Classen Middle School of Advanced Studies for their junior group documentary titled “Sipuel v. Oklahoma: A Landmark Case for Educational Rights”
- Emberly Thompson and Mackenzie Day of Canton Elementary School for their junior group exhibit titled “AMBER Alerts: From Tragedy to Turning Point; Helping America’s Missing”
- Emma Hoffman of Canton High School for her senior individual exhibit titled “He Aimed for the Heart but Hit the Stomach: How Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle Changed History”
Three Oklahoma students had their projects named as outstanding entries. They are:
- Alexandra Ramirez and Alexandria Pack of Dove Science Academy HS Tulsa for their senior group website titled “Title IX and the Fight for Women’s Rights”
- Amelia Lim of Deer Creek Middle School for her junior individual exhibit titled “The Turning Point of the R.M.S. Titanic: The Sinking That Sparked Changes in Maritime Law”
The 63 students from Oklahoma who competed at the national competition qualified after winning first or second place in the state competition held at the Oklahoma History Center in May. Students qualified for the state competition after winning at one of seven regional competitions across Oklahoma.
National History Day is a highly regarded academic program that is student-driven and fosters critical thinking. The cross-curricular program meets Oklahoma standards for social studies and other subjects. This is the 50th year of National History Day.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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Editor’s Note: Photos from National History Day are available upon request
