For the third year in a row, the Northwest Commandery supported History Day competitions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington states.
The commandery supports History Day by recruiting volunteer judges from amongst our companions to judge at regional and state competitions. Companions and spouses who judged this year were Gil Beyer (Idaho); Dave Todd (Oregon); Jim and Carol McGinnis, Dick and Claire Griffin, and Norm Eberly (Washington). Competitions this year were a mixture of virtual (remote) and in-person.
In addition to judging, we sponsor a $100.00 cash prize and commemorative certificate for the best project in each state dealing with Naval/Maritime History.
Three winners received the NOUS cash prize and certificate. In Idaho, Brooklyn Jerde won for her documentary entitled The Sinking of RMS Lusitania: the Debate and the Diplomacy. In Oregon, McKenzie Rose won for her project, The Trent Affair: How Strategic Diplomacy Prevented War. Finally, in Washington, Kevin Yu won for his documentary entitled Aircraft Carriers: A Great Weapon for Peace. Brooklyn and McKenzie’s projects will represent their states in the National History Day competition.
History Day is a national program that encourages middle and high school students to become historians by developing research, analysis, presentation, and social skills. Students select a project related to an annual national theme. This year’s theme was “Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences.” Contests are held at regional, state, and national levels, with the winners at regionals moving on to the state level and winners at the state level moving on to the capstone national competition.
(Photos and information courtesy and permission of competition site leaders.)
Naval Order of the US - Northwest 