National History Day Students meet and greet

Evening Under the Stars sponsored by the David Wright House was a busy evening. A highlight was having five students from National History Day there to tell us about the program. Students work for a year on their projects and learn much about research, working together, finding their passion, making a presentation and more. Chandler teacher Stacey Trepanier gave us the background on Arysat Nejat before he spoke to the crowd.

Cindy Tidwell-Shelton's with her centerpiece

The Historical League is pleased to raise funds for National History Day www.NHDAZ.org from Evening Under the Stars.

Arysat Nejat and Chandler teacher Stacey Trepanier

League President Margaret Baker, State Director
of NHD Susan Irwin and State Co-ordinator Nancy York

League supports National History Day

Nancy York and Madison Barkley show NHD T-shirts

A very worthwhile project, National History Day is growing in Arizona thanks to AHS involvement.  The Historical League donates funds to this program so the Education Director Nancy York gave us an update. This year 53 students qualified to go to Wash. D.C. Our participation is limited by the National Association to Primary and Secondary Place Winners. It costs $150/student registration fee + $1200/student for room/board/airfare so any funds are greatly appreciated.


Approximately 450 people attended the Award Ceremony at ASU Memorial Hall (it took up the entire 2nd floor) to announce the winners.

Madison Barkley shows students
T-shirt prototype

On May 2-3 over 30 students attended an "overnight at the museum" to create a bonding experience. They got to know and support one another as they will be spending lots of time together at our nation's capital. Team Arizona Luggage tags, T-shirts for students and teachers, sunglasses and projects are all part of the team building.

The June 14-18 contest in Wash. D.C. will be on the History Channel for those who want to watch the excitement.  more info at www.nhd.org

National History Day Regional Competition at AHS Museum

A wonderful competition for ages 6th grade - high school, this program encourages students to create a research paper, exhibit, program, video or play based on the 2014 theme "Rights and Responsibilities".  What imagination and hard work went into their projects! Nancy York and Madison Barkley of the AHS Museum co-ordinate NHD across the state for the students and teachers. Pat Faur, Carolee Hess, Karen Swanson and Ruth McLeod, Historical League members, were happy to volunteer as judges March 8 for this Regional event.

We were grouped with other judges to critique the projects and nominate some to advance from the Regional level to State competition, which will be held Saturday, April 5, 2014. Best of luck to these ambitious students who could go on the National Competition in Washington D.C.

Students lined up at AHS Museum for check in.

Fellow judges discussing the event.

Students looking at Historymakers Wall prior to their judging.

Megan Gately moving forward with education at AHS

Megan Gately, Education Program Co-ordinator at AHS, is full of ideas and energy. With the rapidly approaching Centennial celebration, she has even more activities. She has helped the Historical League many times, most recently helping me fill out forms to be a official vendor for Mesa Public Schools. We are looking forward to having them see our Centennial Legacy Project book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections, An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration.

Megan is now getting much needed support staff with Nancy York, Megan's new intern from ASU and Nikole Brasch, Educator.