HomeConnection makes award history

All of HomeConnection’s three National History Day entries received finishes in the top three of their categories at regionals, providing them with the honor of qualifying for the state contest in May.

Regionals were held on Saturday at Western Washington University in Bellingham and more than 200 students attended. The theme for this year was:  “Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures and Consequences.” Students had the option of creating a project in one of the following areas: historical paper (individual), website (group or individual), exhibit (group or individual), documentary (group or individual), performance (group or individual.)

New HomeConnection student and first time NHD participant, sophomore Connor Quijano, received second place for his individual website “USS Pueblo Incident: Establishing a Precedent for Protracted Diplomatic Relations between the United States and North Korea.”

Second year NHD student, sophomore Megan Maronde, also received second place, this time in the individual documentary category for her film “Diplomacy through Education: The Successful History of Medic One.”

Sixth year NHD student, senior Adrianna Royal, received first place for her individual performance “Overcoming Hurdles: Debate and Diplomacy in Title IX’s History.” Royal has previously produced NHD documentaries but wanted to “challenge herself” for her final year in History Day competition. She was also chosen to present her performance at the awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

The students are coached by volunteer teachers Dena Royal and Brenda Maronde.

Each of the students have spent 300 or more hours since last summer preparing their projects, with most of their research consisting of primary documents, interviews and multiple visits to archives.

They will attend the Shoreline Regional contest on Friday as observers and will then refine their projects in final preparation for the state contest at Bellevue College on May 6 and 7.

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