A History Day student shares her experience…
Lauren White, a senior at Huntingtown High School in Calvert County, was kind enough to share with us her essay on why History Day is important to her.
“The American poet, Robert Penn Warren, once wrote, ‘History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves…’ This personally holds true for me through my six-year participation in the National History Day program. This rigorously academic competition, requiring in-depth research beyond the textbook, gave me great insight into many of the hidden stories in history and allowed me to evaluate and present those stories through film, my chosen medium. Surprisingly, through the experience, I also learned a great deal about myself. Looking to the past not only enhanced my knowledge of people, places, and events in history, but also gave me a better understanding of the person I am today — my character, my personality, my dynamics within my family — and the person I wish to become.”
“Whoever said, ‘Nothing builds character like hard work,’ was right. The History Day program has taught me the importance of setting a goal and working hard to obtain it. I spent six years and countless hours working on projects in hopes that each year I would improve upon the last. Sticking to this principle paid off, as I advanced to the national level of competition during the last five years and was ranked no less than seventh in four of them, obtaining the third place, bronze medal as my highest ranking. The ideal of working hard toward a goal holds true in almost all aspects of my life. I strive to go above and beyond what is expected; I take pride in the fact that I never give less than my best.”
“The effect that National History Day has had on my personality is invaluable. As a child I was shy and unassuming by nature and rarely trusted my opinion enough to speak out. The first time I faced a History Day judging panel to present and defend my project, I was terrified. I soon learned, however, I had nothing to fear. I discovered that I could ‘be knowledgeable and charismatic,’ which were the words of encouragement given to me by my parents before each judging session. These words have become the mantra on which I focus when faced with public speaking situations. The once terrifying experience of standing before History Day judges soon became my favorite part of the competition.”
“Through my participation in the History Day program I have also learned that I hold fast to superstitions and traditions. I insist on carrying my project in a specific bag during competitions, I must somehow incorporate my lucky number seven into my presentation time or room number, and my ‘lucky pig’ is always hidden within the palm of my hand or within easy reach. My loyalty to routines is a big part of what makes me, me. Although I sometimes enjoy change and surprise, I take comfort in the continuity that tradition brings.”
“Participating in History Day brought out a competitive streak in me, particularly in terms of sibling rivalry. My older brother, Matt, competed in the program for seven years before I was eligible and I couldn’t wait until the day I could participate too, perhaps harboring a glint of desire to better his accomplishments. His success played a large part in my drive to excel, and in the end, Matt became one of my greatest assets. As a former National History Day finalist himself and currently a Middle School Social Studies teacher, he became an indispensable mentor, offering advice and acting as a sounding board for my ideas. I give a good bit of credit to the History Day program for the close relationship I now enjoy with my brother.”
“The History Day program influenced our family dynamics in other ways as well. It served as an obscure sort of family bonding experience for us. While many of my friends were taking vacations to Ocean City, Disney World, or Bermuda, my family vacations were designed to incorporate some kind of research aspect related to my current History Day project. Our trips to places such as Dayton, Tennessee to investigate the Scopes Trial, the Peace Resource Center in Wilmington, Ohio to delve into the diaries of the Hiroshima Maidens, or the Smithsonian Art Archives in Washington DC to obtain videotaped oral histories of the 20th century artist/activist Ben Shahn, were every bit as enjoyable as our traditional vacations and became shared learning experiences for the whole family.”
“Undoubtedly, the experiences I have had through National History Day have been a driving force in my life by helping me discover my unique personality, giving me the tools to build a stronger character, and showing me the value of a close family relationship, all important factors in determining the person I will be in the future. Although I do not think my upcoming academic pursuits in college will be predominately History related, as I am leaning toward studying something in the Sciences, my participation in History Day has given me a good foundation and the confidence to be successful in whatever course I choose for my future.”
See one of her History Day documentaries on YouTube
Tags: Maryland History Day
October 29th, 2010 at 9:56 am
She is a great lady and she is doing great work for humanity.