After receiving Ira Parsons' thank you letter, we are even more impressed with his abilities and the benefits of NHDAZ.
"My name is Ira Parsons, and I just finished my sophomore year at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale.
Thanks to the Historical League’s sponsorship this summer, I won the Library of Congress medal (“Discovery or Exploration in History”) at this year’s National History Day finals, becoming the first person ever to win it twice, for my senior paper, “Rights Without Responsibilities: How the Framers of International Space Law Failed to Foresee Privatization.”
Competing this year was a great experience: the Washington Post invited us to submit a short essay, the White House Historical Association invited me to participate in a writer’s workshop, and I had fun touring the campuses of Johns-Hopkins and Princeton University.
Over the past four years, this contest has helped me develop not only as a writer, but also as a critical thinker and historical analyst. The important skills I have learned – such as interpreting the historical record, synthesizing research, and developing and defending a thesis – have allowed me to thrive in many endeavors, both in and out of school.
Thank you and the Historical League for your generous support,
Ira Parsons"
