The Livingston Lions Club learned about Texas History Day, the statewide student research program of the Texas State Historical Association and the Texas affiliate of National History Day, Wednesday.
National History Day is a nationwide academic program that encourages middle and high school students to engage in historical research, interpretation and creative expression. Through the process, students develop critical thinking, writing and presentation skills while exploring historical topics connected to the annual theme. This year’s theme was “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.”
Participating students conduct extensive historical research and present their findings through original projects in one of the following categories: historical paper, website, documentary, exhibit or performance.
Livingston Junior High was represented by 13 student competitors who were advised by Kristina Miller, and Livingston High School was represented by one student who was advised by Suzonna McFarlain. Students who earn a first- or second-place at the regional level advance to the state-level Texas History Day Contest which is held annually in Austin in April.
From the junior high school, two groups and one individual advanced from the regional contest and competed at state. One of the groups was the team of Hudson Rowe, Matthew Gober, Kenneth Montgomery and Diego Lais Cruz. Their group exhibit, “D-Day - the Beginning of the End,” earned first place. They also won the General Jay Matthews Military History Award for their exhibit. This award recognizes entries that have demonstrated exceptional research into a Texas or United States military history topic. Their project was selected for the junior division out of all the junior division entries that dealt with military history.
Rowe said the thing he found most valuable was how to be more accountable with your work, but also organization and social skills. Lais Cruz said he learned how to be accountable and understand his friends more, plus teamwork. Montgomery said he works better as part of a team. He also learned about accountability. Gober said doing all the research took four to five months, but that as a team, you can do better. He said he also learned more about strategies for the battle and the struggles it took to get them where they got.
Also advancing from the regional contest and competing at the state level were Isabel Garcia and Hadley Wiegand with their project, “Jackie Robinson: A Baseball Revolution Starts with #42.” Garcia said she learned how to get different perspectives from everyone, that she wanted to dive deeper, and also just how big of an effect Robinson truly had. Wiegand said she learned about more detail and having a deeper understanding when you go do research and to take what you have and form a deeper understanding.
Katelyn Coatney competed at the state level with her historical paper, “All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.” Coatney said this was not something usual for women during World War II, that it was a very big step in being equal to men. She said she learned to do greater things for the world, make a greater impact. She said she also learned how to be more responsible and that the project helped her realize she can do it if she really puts her mind to it.
From the high school, Luisa Perez competed in the senior division with her individual website called “Cultivating the Curriculum: The Smith-Hughes Act and the Revolution in Vocational Training for Rural Youth.” Perez earned first place and best of show at the regional level, second place at state and is advancing to national competition June 14-18 in College Park, Md.
Perez said being active in FFA figured into her interest in this topic. She mentioned not only the importance of FFA now, but also the importance of vocational classes, commenting that the students are very fortunate to have the CTE program they have at LISD. She said the act was implemented in 1917 and had many effects then and still has effects now by helping the economy and helping students be more engaged with their school.
