2010-2011 National History Day
"Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences"
First, begin with the theme: Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences. If you have participated in National History Day before you know the theme is always broad enough to include research topics at the community, state, national or world history level. The theme is important because historical research requires more than a detailed description of an event. The theme helps you ask questions and think deeply about your topic. Examine the arguments for and against. Explain the historical consequences of the outcome of the debate or diplomatic event. Whose success is it? Whose failure? Excellent topics that are not connected to the theme can quickly become poor research projects.The best way to understand the theme is to define each word. The first two words, Debate and Diplomacy are broad categories. Your topic will be on a debate or a diplomatic event. Sometimes you will find a topic that fits under both debate and diplomacy but that is not required. To understand all the possible meanings for the words go to the dictionary with a partner, think about different meanings and brainstorm possible research topics under each definition. The key to topic selection is the ability to articulate its connection to the theme.
2009-2010 National History Day
"Innovation in History: Impact and Change"
During the 2009-2010 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme: Innovation in History: Impact and Change. Students need to keep the entire theme in mind: “in History,” as well as “Innovation” as they begin their research. While the most obvious topics come from science like Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, or new discoveries like Isaac Newton’s laws of gravity, or new inventions like the automobile, the theme is really much broader than that.
Innovation suggests creative new approaches to any facet of life. Students might explore innovation in artistic or musical forms, for example, by looking at the rise of jazz. The important aspect of any National History Day research project is to situate the topic in the historical context. What was happening in the society that supported the rise of jazz at this particular point in time? Another way to extend the topic would be to follow the impact of jazz on society through time, e.g., on the African American community or subsequent music forms.
Changes in political, social or religious institutions or arrangements might also be considered innovations, as new ways to respond to problems facing society. For example, the establishment of the United States of America, the “Cultural Revolution” in China, the development of settlement houses in America and Europe, or the Protestant Reformation could all be topics for NHD this year. As always, the theme is broad enough to include topics from any period of history and from any part of the world. Whatever topics they choose, however, students must remember to address the theme and place their projects in history.
This year, 114 West Catholic students participated in the National History Day competition at the National Constitution Center on March 4, 2010.
Michael Shanahan, Mariah Worthington: Machine Guns....."Enable One Man to Do the Job of 100" group exhibit
Jamier Tascoe-Davis, Tony Tran, Marcus Randall, Marcus Onfroy, and Malachi Shell: Horsepower Evolution group exhibit
Lutchia Pierre-Louis, Joyce Orji, Boimah Moyillah, Tipcose Gallashaw, and Minh Liu: A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words -- Photography Past and Present group exhibit
Summer Horan, Elaine Ngo, Christopher Waters, Haven Ogbaselase, and Haeley Horan: Feel the Reel, Experience the Popcorn -- the Cinematic Adventures of Movie-Making group exhibit
Brittany Henderson, Moran Weatherly, Jade Jackson, Brittney Parker-Townsend, Aliesa Weatherly: From Nappy Roots to Happy Roots -- Improvements in Hair Care group exhibit
Pedro Ortiz, Yoseph Wubayeh, Eric Pham, Philmon Tesfamariam, and Sang Nguyen: Machine Guns -- the History of Carnage group exhibit
Michelle Timothy-Davis, Lexis Brewington, Bianca Samuel, and Jack Ni: The Age of Healing -- Anesthetics
2008-2009 National History Day
"The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies"
During the 2008-2009 school year National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. A combination of the right person at the right time in history has powerful outcomes which can be both inspiring and catastrophic as illustrated by the lives of such figures as George Washington, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Rachel Carson, Cesar Chavez, Jane Addams, or Idi Amin Dada and Adolf Hitler. Inspirational individuals ask difficult questions of society and themselves and believe passionately in an issue. Examples of individuals who cared deeply about a cause and nudged history forward are Eleanor Roosevelt in her quest for human rights, John Peter Zenger and the fight for freedom of the press, and Walter Reed in his quest for a cure for yellow fever. The list can extend exponentially. Individuals who were activists, world leaders, scientists, or artists followed their fervor and focused their life’s work that eventually became a catalyst for events to unfold in history. In each case the decisions and the route that the individual followed ignited a change.
This year, 63 West Catholic students participated in the National History Day Philadelphia competition at the National Constitution Center.
Stephen King: “A German Hero” individual exhibit
Kiersten Adams: Adolf Hitler individual exhibit
Weena Doyle: Albert Einstein individual exhibit
Brandon Paynter: Ali individual exhibit
Deanna Glover: Arthur Ashe individual exhibit
Hanh Nguyen: “Audrey Hepburn: From Star to Savior” historical paper
Andrea Lorenos: Augustus Caesar historical paper
Anthony Fluck: “Bombin’ Baron” historical paper
Samnie Coleman and Samantha Gibson-Kiahour: Charles Taylor group exhibit
Jaison Sebastian: “Dr. J: The Man Who Reached New Heights” historical paper
Vanessa Davis, Amirah Grasty, and Nina Satterwhite: Edgar Allen Poe group exhibit
Samuel Amare: Elvis Presley historical paper
Limunga Musonge: Frida Kahlo historical paper
Christiana Walker: “Frida Kahlo: Life and Legacy” historical paper
Brandon Lokey: George W. Carver individual exhibit
Bria Raynor: George Washington Carver individual exhibit
Cole Robertson: “George Washington: American Revolutionary” individual exhibit
Jordan Cole: “Gods of Soccer” individual exhibit
Anthony Nguyen: Guan Yu historical paper
Huong Nguyen: Henry VIII historical paper
Joyce Bullock: “Hollywood Starlet Marilyn Monroe” individual exhibit
Bruce Mapp, Jr.: Jerry Rice historical paper
Adam Springer-Roberts: “Jerry Rice: A Great Catch” individual exhibit
Hyonok Joy Kim: “Joan of Arc: The French Heroine” individual exhibit
Ian Johnston, Elena Marrero, Odile Ta, and Eric Wyant: John F. Kennedy group exhibit
Liana Taylor: “Joseph Stalin: The Red Man of Steel” historical paper
Stephanie Tran: Leonardo da Vinci historical paper
Geof Walker: “Life in the Eyes of Jackie Robinson” historical paper
Maiya Hartman: Mansa Musa historical paper
Wenyu Xin: Mao Zedong historical paper
Natalie Polillo: Marilyn Monroe historical paper
Vincent Tu: Martin Luther historical paper
Paul Bikibili: Maya Angelou individual exhibit
Matthew Crowley: “Michael Collins: An Irish Patriot” historical paper
Amani Gordon, Lea Johnson, and Jackie Ockimey: Michael Jackson group performance
Jazmin Booker: “Musical Notes of TLC” historical paper
Mercedes Dressler: Niccolo Machiavelli historical paper
Katharine Davis: “Paving the Road for the Future: Benjamin Franklin” historical paper
Ashley Torres, Chelsey Rivera, Catalina Ta: Ponce de Leon group documentary
Anthony Fleet: Roberto Clemente historical paper
Portia Herndon: Ruby Bridges historical paper
Neisha Black and Doriann Fletcher: Sacagawea group exhibit
Daniel Benny: Sigmund Freud historical paper
Trevor Johnson and Michael Grogan: “The Iron Horse of Baseball” group exhibit
Christina Williams-Potter, Isaiah Freeman, Yoseph Wubayeh: “The King of England: Henry VIII” group performance
Tehetna Gebreamanuel: “The Life and Times of Princess Diana” historical paper
Christian Waites: “The Marilyn Monroe” individual exhibit
Dyamond Robinson: “The Maya Angelou” individual exhibit
Kiara Jackson: “The Presley Paper” historical paper
Dontae Lewis and Jeremy Richardson: “The Sly Foxx” group exhibit
Chante Jennings: “Unfinished Dreams: Marilyn Monroe” historical paper
Trevor Johnson and Michael Grogan received an Honorable Mention for their group exhibit on Lou Gehrig
2007-2008 National History Day
“Conflict and Compromise in History”
The theme Conflict and Compromise in History is complex and asks students to view history through multiple perspectives. In some cases, the conflicts existed without compromise. In others, compromise was reached before major conflicts ensued. In the end some conflicts were averted with compromises, like treaties. However, more often, events in history reflect both conflict and compromise. Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student needs to address both sides of the theme. To understand the historical importance of their topics, students must ask questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance. They must ask not only when did events happen, but why did they happen? What factors contributed to their development? What was the lasting influence in history? How did this topic change the course of events? What effect did the event have on the community, society, nation and world?
This year, West Catholic had 32 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on March 13, 2008.
Ashley Torres and Catalina Ta: Pearl Harbor exhibit
Malik Neal: Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal
Brittany Henderson and Morgan Weatherly: Titanic exhibit
Eric Pham, Daniel Tesfamariam, Philmon Tesfamariam, and Yoseph Weubayeh: Trail of Tears exhibit
Jasmaree Haslam, Pedro Ortiz, Brittney Parker-Townsend, and Moriah Smith: Rodney King Beating documentary
Jordan Henry, Jasmin Proctor, and Bianca Samuel: Judy Meisel exhibit
Lexis Brewington and Nasser Ibrahim: Pearl Harbor exhibit
Munira Gassama, Joyce Orji, Semhar Samuel, and Mary Wolzniki: Auschwitz exhibit
Summer Horan, Albert Murphy, Elaine Ngo, and Tony Tran: Jackie Robinson exhibit
Elnora Cutler: The Mayflower Compact paper
Haven Ogbaselase: Watergate exhibit
Christopher Waters: Titanic paper/exhibit
Aliesa Weatherly: Hitler paper
Junior Malik Neal will be competing at the Pennsylvania State Competition on May 12-13, 2008 at Millersville University. His paper, "Deal or No Deal: Theodore Roosevelt and the Square Deal," came in second place in Philadelphia.
2006-2007 National History Day
“Triumph and Tragedy in History”
During the 2006-2007 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme Triumph and Tragedy in History. As is the case each year, the theme is broad enough to encourage investigation of topics ranging from local history to world history, and from ancient time to the recent past. For National History Day 2007, students are encouraged to select an individual, idea or event and demonstrate how and why their topic was a triumph and/or a tragedy in history. Students should keep in mind, however, that often the same topic can be viewed as both triumph and tragedy depending on the experience of the participants, the perspective of historians and the passage of time.
This year, West Catholic had 25 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on March 15, 2007.
Haftom Khasai and Malik Neal: “Cryptology” documentary
Jichang Ni and Nahum Redae: “Khmer Rouge” documentary
Samira McCafferty: “Amazing Grace” exhibit
Crystal Nichols: “Jamestown” exhibit
Kiersten Adams, Portia Herndon, Liana Taylor, and Christina Williams-Potter: “Jeb Stuart” performance – 3rd place, went to States
Danny Benny: “Albert Einstein” documentary – 3rd place, went to States
Johan Nignan, Amanuel Abraham, Smara Mekonnen, and Steven Thomas: “Judy Meisel” exhibit
Corey Gammon, Cache Whitaker, Nbyat Gebremariam, Samnie Coleman, and Courtney Dill: “Texas Western” exhibit
Weena Doyle, Stephen King, and Travis Lopez-Rodriguez: “How Hitler Helped You” documentary
Katharine Davis and Mercedes Dressler: “Constantine and Women’s Rights” exhibit
Haftom Khasai and Malik Neal's "Cryptology" documentary came in 1st place and proceeded to the Pennsylvania State Competition at Penn State University. Jichang Ni and Nahum Redae's "Khmer Rouge" documentary came in 2nd place and proceeded to the Pennsylvania State Competition at Penn State University.
2005-2006 National History Day
“Taking a Stand in History”
During the 2005-2006 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, Events. As is the case each year, the theme is broad enough to encourage investigation of topics ranging from local to world history, and from ancient times to the recent past. To understand the historical importance of their topics, students need to ask questions about time, place, and context; cause and effect; change over time; and impact and significance. They ought to consider not only when and where events happened, but also why they occurred, what factors contributed to their development, and what effects they had on broader history. In other words, NHD projects should go beyond mere description to include analysis of information and conclusions about how the topic influenced and was influenced by other people, ideas, and events.
This year, West Catholic had 4 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on April 6, 2006.
Haftom Khasai and Jichang Ni: “Tiananmen Square” documentary – 2nd place, went to States
Malik Neal: “Founding Mothers” documentary – 2nd place, went to States Crystal
Nichols: “Mary Church Terrell” exhibit
"Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences"
First, begin with the theme: Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences. If you have participated in National History Day before you know the theme is always broad enough to include research topics at the community, state, national or world history level. The theme is important because historical research requires more than a detailed description of an event. The theme helps you ask questions and think deeply about your topic. Examine the arguments for and against. Explain the historical consequences of the outcome of the debate or diplomatic event. Whose success is it? Whose failure? Excellent topics that are not connected to the theme can quickly become poor research projects.The best way to understand the theme is to define each word. The first two words, Debate and Diplomacy are broad categories. Your topic will be on a debate or a diplomatic event. Sometimes you will find a topic that fits under both debate and diplomacy but that is not required. To understand all the possible meanings for the words go to the dictionary with a partner, think about different meanings and brainstorm possible research topics under each definition. The key to topic selection is the ability to articulate its connection to the theme.
2009-2010 National History Day
"Innovation in History: Impact and Change"
During the 2009-2010 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme: Innovation in History: Impact and Change. Students need to keep the entire theme in mind: “in History,” as well as “Innovation” as they begin their research. While the most obvious topics come from science like Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, or new discoveries like Isaac Newton’s laws of gravity, or new inventions like the automobile, the theme is really much broader than that.
Innovation suggests creative new approaches to any facet of life. Students might explore innovation in artistic or musical forms, for example, by looking at the rise of jazz. The important aspect of any National History Day research project is to situate the topic in the historical context. What was happening in the society that supported the rise of jazz at this particular point in time? Another way to extend the topic would be to follow the impact of jazz on society through time, e.g., on the African American community or subsequent music forms.
Changes in political, social or religious institutions or arrangements might also be considered innovations, as new ways to respond to problems facing society. For example, the establishment of the United States of America, the “Cultural Revolution” in China, the development of settlement houses in America and Europe, or the Protestant Reformation could all be topics for NHD this year. As always, the theme is broad enough to include topics from any period of history and from any part of the world. Whatever topics they choose, however, students must remember to address the theme and place their projects in history.
This year, 114 West Catholic students participated in the National History Day competition at the National Constitution Center on March 4, 2010.
Michael Shanahan, Mariah Worthington: Machine Guns....."Enable One Man to Do the Job of 100" group exhibit
Jamier Tascoe-Davis, Tony Tran, Marcus Randall, Marcus Onfroy, and Malachi Shell: Horsepower Evolution group exhibit
Lutchia Pierre-Louis, Joyce Orji, Boimah Moyillah, Tipcose Gallashaw, and Minh Liu: A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words -- Photography Past and Present group exhibit
Summer Horan, Elaine Ngo, Christopher Waters, Haven Ogbaselase, and Haeley Horan: Feel the Reel, Experience the Popcorn -- the Cinematic Adventures of Movie-Making group exhibit
Brittany Henderson, Moran Weatherly, Jade Jackson, Brittney Parker-Townsend, Aliesa Weatherly: From Nappy Roots to Happy Roots -- Improvements in Hair Care group exhibit
Pedro Ortiz, Yoseph Wubayeh, Eric Pham, Philmon Tesfamariam, and Sang Nguyen: Machine Guns -- the History of Carnage group exhibit
Michelle Timothy-Davis, Lexis Brewington, Bianca Samuel, and Jack Ni: The Age of Healing -- Anesthetics
2008-2009 National History Day
"The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies"
During the 2008-2009 school year National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. A combination of the right person at the right time in history has powerful outcomes which can be both inspiring and catastrophic as illustrated by the lives of such figures as George Washington, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Rachel Carson, Cesar Chavez, Jane Addams, or Idi Amin Dada and Adolf Hitler. Inspirational individuals ask difficult questions of society and themselves and believe passionately in an issue. Examples of individuals who cared deeply about a cause and nudged history forward are Eleanor Roosevelt in her quest for human rights, John Peter Zenger and the fight for freedom of the press, and Walter Reed in his quest for a cure for yellow fever. The list can extend exponentially. Individuals who were activists, world leaders, scientists, or artists followed their fervor and focused their life’s work that eventually became a catalyst for events to unfold in history. In each case the decisions and the route that the individual followed ignited a change.
This year, 63 West Catholic students participated in the National History Day Philadelphia competition at the National Constitution Center.
Stephen King: “A German Hero” individual exhibit
Kiersten Adams: Adolf Hitler individual exhibit
Weena Doyle: Albert Einstein individual exhibit
Brandon Paynter: Ali individual exhibit
Deanna Glover: Arthur Ashe individual exhibit
Hanh Nguyen: “Audrey Hepburn: From Star to Savior” historical paper
Andrea Lorenos: Augustus Caesar historical paper
Anthony Fluck: “Bombin’ Baron” historical paper
Samnie Coleman and Samantha Gibson-Kiahour: Charles Taylor group exhibit
Jaison Sebastian: “Dr. J: The Man Who Reached New Heights” historical paper
Vanessa Davis, Amirah Grasty, and Nina Satterwhite: Edgar Allen Poe group exhibit
Samuel Amare: Elvis Presley historical paper
Limunga Musonge: Frida Kahlo historical paper
Christiana Walker: “Frida Kahlo: Life and Legacy” historical paper
Brandon Lokey: George W. Carver individual exhibit
Bria Raynor: George Washington Carver individual exhibit
Cole Robertson: “George Washington: American Revolutionary” individual exhibit
Jordan Cole: “Gods of Soccer” individual exhibit
Anthony Nguyen: Guan Yu historical paper
Huong Nguyen: Henry VIII historical paper
Joyce Bullock: “Hollywood Starlet Marilyn Monroe” individual exhibit
Bruce Mapp, Jr.: Jerry Rice historical paper
Adam Springer-Roberts: “Jerry Rice: A Great Catch” individual exhibit
Hyonok Joy Kim: “Joan of Arc: The French Heroine” individual exhibit
Ian Johnston, Elena Marrero, Odile Ta, and Eric Wyant: John F. Kennedy group exhibit
Liana Taylor: “Joseph Stalin: The Red Man of Steel” historical paper
Stephanie Tran: Leonardo da Vinci historical paper
Geof Walker: “Life in the Eyes of Jackie Robinson” historical paper
Maiya Hartman: Mansa Musa historical paper
Wenyu Xin: Mao Zedong historical paper
Natalie Polillo: Marilyn Monroe historical paper
Vincent Tu: Martin Luther historical paper
Paul Bikibili: Maya Angelou individual exhibit
Matthew Crowley: “Michael Collins: An Irish Patriot” historical paper
Amani Gordon, Lea Johnson, and Jackie Ockimey: Michael Jackson group performance
Jazmin Booker: “Musical Notes of TLC” historical paper
Mercedes Dressler: Niccolo Machiavelli historical paper
Katharine Davis: “Paving the Road for the Future: Benjamin Franklin” historical paper
Ashley Torres, Chelsey Rivera, Catalina Ta: Ponce de Leon group documentary
Anthony Fleet: Roberto Clemente historical paper
Portia Herndon: Ruby Bridges historical paper
Neisha Black and Doriann Fletcher: Sacagawea group exhibit
Daniel Benny: Sigmund Freud historical paper
Trevor Johnson and Michael Grogan: “The Iron Horse of Baseball” group exhibit
Christina Williams-Potter, Isaiah Freeman, Yoseph Wubayeh: “The King of England: Henry VIII” group performance
Tehetna Gebreamanuel: “The Life and Times of Princess Diana” historical paper
Christian Waites: “The Marilyn Monroe” individual exhibit
Dyamond Robinson: “The Maya Angelou” individual exhibit
Kiara Jackson: “The Presley Paper” historical paper
Dontae Lewis and Jeremy Richardson: “The Sly Foxx” group exhibit
Chante Jennings: “Unfinished Dreams: Marilyn Monroe” historical paper
Trevor Johnson and Michael Grogan received an Honorable Mention for their group exhibit on Lou Gehrig
2007-2008 National History Day
“Conflict and Compromise in History”
The theme Conflict and Compromise in History is complex and asks students to view history through multiple perspectives. In some cases, the conflicts existed without compromise. In others, compromise was reached before major conflicts ensued. In the end some conflicts were averted with compromises, like treaties. However, more often, events in history reflect both conflict and compromise. Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student needs to address both sides of the theme. To understand the historical importance of their topics, students must ask questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance. They must ask not only when did events happen, but why did they happen? What factors contributed to their development? What was the lasting influence in history? How did this topic change the course of events? What effect did the event have on the community, society, nation and world?
This year, West Catholic had 32 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on March 13, 2008.
Ashley Torres and Catalina Ta: Pearl Harbor exhibit
Malik Neal: Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal
Brittany Henderson and Morgan Weatherly: Titanic exhibit
Eric Pham, Daniel Tesfamariam, Philmon Tesfamariam, and Yoseph Weubayeh: Trail of Tears exhibit
Jasmaree Haslam, Pedro Ortiz, Brittney Parker-Townsend, and Moriah Smith: Rodney King Beating documentary
Jordan Henry, Jasmin Proctor, and Bianca Samuel: Judy Meisel exhibit
Lexis Brewington and Nasser Ibrahim: Pearl Harbor exhibit
Munira Gassama, Joyce Orji, Semhar Samuel, and Mary Wolzniki: Auschwitz exhibit
Summer Horan, Albert Murphy, Elaine Ngo, and Tony Tran: Jackie Robinson exhibit
Elnora Cutler: The Mayflower Compact paper
Haven Ogbaselase: Watergate exhibit
Christopher Waters: Titanic paper/exhibit
Aliesa Weatherly: Hitler paper
Junior Malik Neal will be competing at the Pennsylvania State Competition on May 12-13, 2008 at Millersville University. His paper, "Deal or No Deal: Theodore Roosevelt and the Square Deal," came in second place in Philadelphia.
2006-2007 National History Day
“Triumph and Tragedy in History”
During the 2006-2007 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme Triumph and Tragedy in History. As is the case each year, the theme is broad enough to encourage investigation of topics ranging from local history to world history, and from ancient time to the recent past. For National History Day 2007, students are encouraged to select an individual, idea or event and demonstrate how and why their topic was a triumph and/or a tragedy in history. Students should keep in mind, however, that often the same topic can be viewed as both triumph and tragedy depending on the experience of the participants, the perspective of historians and the passage of time.
This year, West Catholic had 25 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on March 15, 2007.
Haftom Khasai and Malik Neal: “Cryptology” documentary
Jichang Ni and Nahum Redae: “Khmer Rouge” documentary
Samira McCafferty: “Amazing Grace” exhibit
Crystal Nichols: “Jamestown” exhibit
Kiersten Adams, Portia Herndon, Liana Taylor, and Christina Williams-Potter: “Jeb Stuart” performance – 3rd place, went to States
Danny Benny: “Albert Einstein” documentary – 3rd place, went to States
Johan Nignan, Amanuel Abraham, Smara Mekonnen, and Steven Thomas: “Judy Meisel” exhibit
Corey Gammon, Cache Whitaker, Nbyat Gebremariam, Samnie Coleman, and Courtney Dill: “Texas Western” exhibit
Weena Doyle, Stephen King, and Travis Lopez-Rodriguez: “How Hitler Helped You” documentary
Katharine Davis and Mercedes Dressler: “Constantine and Women’s Rights” exhibit
Haftom Khasai and Malik Neal's "Cryptology" documentary came in 1st place and proceeded to the Pennsylvania State Competition at Penn State University. Jichang Ni and Nahum Redae's "Khmer Rouge" documentary came in 2nd place and proceeded to the Pennsylvania State Competition at Penn State University.
2005-2006 National History Day
“Taking a Stand in History”
During the 2005-2006 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, Events. As is the case each year, the theme is broad enough to encourage investigation of topics ranging from local to world history, and from ancient times to the recent past. To understand the historical importance of their topics, students need to ask questions about time, place, and context; cause and effect; change over time; and impact and significance. They ought to consider not only when and where events happened, but also why they occurred, what factors contributed to their development, and what effects they had on broader history. In other words, NHD projects should go beyond mere description to include analysis of information and conclusions about how the topic influenced and was influenced by other people, ideas, and events.
This year, West Catholic had 4 students participate in the National History Day Philadelphia Competition at the National Constitution Center on April 6, 2006.
Haftom Khasai and Jichang Ni: “Tiananmen Square” documentary – 2nd place, went to States
Malik Neal: “Founding Mothers” documentary – 2nd place, went to States Crystal
Nichols: “Mary Church Terrell” exhibit