Press Release
June 27, 2017
Contact: Steve Hawkins
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0754
shawkins@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/historycenter
Sixty-Five Students Represent the Sooner State at National History Day
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma was well represented at the National History Day competition held at the University of Maryland at College Park on June 11–15. The Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City hosted the Oklahoma National History Day competition on May 3 and 4, when more than 500 middle and high school students presented their exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites and papers. The 65 first- and second-place winners at the state competition advanced to the National History Day contest.
Those receiving awards were:
- Beau Forqua (Canton) for Outstanding Oklahoma Entry, Junior Division
- Braxton Thompson, Kenzi Nix and Kylie Nix (Canton) for first place in Group Exhibit, Junior Division
- Sierra Conrady, Kaitlyn McIntosh, Kalissa Wile and Alyssa Nix (Canton) for second place for best use of Irish-American history, Group Performance, Senior Division
- Gant Roberson (Classen School of Advanced Studies) for Outstanding Oklahoma Entry, Senior Division
Special recognition was given to three Oklahoma students for separate achievements. Clayton Shepard from Canton, Okla., received the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., and was awarded a trip to visit that institution. Baylee Melot and Judith Suarez from St. Phillip Neri Catholic School in Shawnee, Okla., were invited to present their Junior Division Group Documentary on Clara Luper at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Extracurricular activities were also a part of the trip. Students from Morrison, Okla., were selected to go onto the field at the Washington Nationals baseball game, and several students visited the U.S. Capitol and met with Senator James Lankford.
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.
###
