Conway students at national event

Twenty-five students from Conway participated at the National History Day competition held June 14-18 on the campus of the University of Maryland. Conway had students who placed second, fourth and 12th in the national finals, along with two other top 20 finishes. This marked the first time in Conway history that students placed in the top two in the United States in any History Day category.

Finishing second in the United States in senior group exhibit were Christie Ernsbarger, Lindsey McKee and Sydney Taylor for their exhibit entitled "Benjamin Franklin: An Individual Whose Politics, Inventions, and Ideas Shaped History."

Finishing second in the United States in senior group performance were Annie Browne, Jeannie Corbitt, Rachel Ford and Aspen Madrid for their performance entitled "The Sky is The Limit: Jackie Cochran and the WASP of World War II."

Finishing fourth in the United States in senior individual performance was Kerry Cole for his performance entitled "The Little Lion: Alexander Hamilton and the Creation of the American Economy and Government."

Finishing 12th in the United States in junior group documentary were Emily Bailey and Caroline Osborn for their documentary entitled "Just What the Doctor Ordered: Reading That's Fun! Actions and Legacies of Theodor Seuss Geisel."

Finishing in the top 20 in the United States in junior individual performance was Mary Hales for her performance entitled "Jane Austen: Romantic Action, Literary Legacy."

Finishing in the top 20 in the United States in senior group exhibit were Katherine Dombek, Kate McCalman and Becca Morgan for their exhibit entitled "Henry Dunant: A Legacy Relieving Suffering Through His Actions."

Other students who participated at National History Day competition from Conway include Bailey McKee, Alyssa Strickland, Avery Taylor and Olivia Tzeng, junior group exhibit; Emily Luck and Madison Yates, junior group exhibit; Logan Hampton, junior individual documentary; Abby Hill, junior individual performance; Emily Lock, junior individual exhibit; Rebecca Philpott, junior individual exhibit; Seth Washispack, senior individual documentary.

The Conway students competed against over 3,000 students from the United States, American possessions and, for the first time, students from Beijing, China.

Conway was one of the top districts at the national competition. Students were also given educational tours of Washington, D.C. during their stay at the University of Maryland, College Park during national competition week.

The History Day teachers who accompanied the students to nationals were Sherry Holder, Kaye McMillian, William Richardson and Robert Wills.