News

Area students sweep history awards

Front row, from left to right: Nelson Wiggins, Journee McMinn, Alden McCall and Clara Hockenberry. They are from Hendersonville Middle School. Back row: Dr. Jim Clark, North Caroliniana Society president and Dr. Kevin Cherry, N.C. Department of Natural an

By Bill Moss, Published: May 31, 2016

Hendersonville students dominated the state's National History Day competition, accounting for 20 of the 23 western N.C. regional winners advancing to the national contest June 12-14 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Mastering subjects as varied as explorer Marco Polo, groundbreaking dancer Martha Graham and early pioneers of flight and rocketry, more than 450 students from across North Carolina competed through exhibits, documentaries, performances and papers to earn top placements in the competition. In all, 66 students advanced.

Hendersonville area students were:

Bayli & Bryson Bayne, Madison Belk, Sadie Bowen, Coby Coggin, Moultrie Dangerfield, Marli Gmyrek, Dana Jakubielski, Grace Kelsch, Cecilia Murrey, Raines Strader, Isabel Ward, & Kathryn Worley, Classical Scholars of Henderson County.

Kimber Belk, Jane Maddock, Giovanni Melendez, & Jasmine Sotelo, Immaculata Catholic
School.

Clara Hockenberry, Alden McCall, & Nelson Wiggins, Hendersonville Middle School

"The work put forth by these students is both impressive and inspiring. By delving deep into a variety of historical subjects, they're able to learn invaluable lessons that help them to better understand the present and prepare for the future." said Dr. Kevin Cherry, Director of the Office of Archives, History & Parks.

This year's competition highlighted the theme "Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History," and featured participants from 50 schools. In addition to those proceeding to the national competition, more than 60 students won special awards recognizing projects relating to specific historical topics.

National History Day is administered by the N.C. Office of Archives, History & Parks and supported by the North Caroliniana Society, Federation of N.C. Historical Societies, N.C. Literary & Historical Association and Sons of the Revolution.