By: Jillian Dlouhy –

On March 1, around 40 AP U.S. History students here at Southeast will go to the National History Day (NHD) competition to present their projects.

Noa Craft and Kyle Beacom are the two teachers for AP U.S. History this year, and are looking forward to the competition. This is Craft’s first year going to NHD, but this will be Beacom’s fifth year with the competition. Southeast overall had been doing the competition for many years.

The project that the students compete with is a mandatory grade for them in their class, but it is highly recommended that they use it for the NHD competition.

“Doing the project is mandatory, [but] we do the encouraging to get them [to go] there,” said Craft.

The theme for this year’s competition is “Taking a Stand in History,” and students are able to choose which category they want their project to be based upon this topic.

“This year we have primarily exhibits, but we had a couple performances, a few websites, [and] a few papers. Nobody did a documentary,” said Craft.

There are many options as to what you are able to do, but nonetheless, each of them require much research, dedication, and time over the first semester, which is when they are assigned.

“It simulates what you’re going to get when you’re a freshmen in college,” said Beacom. “[It’s like] some sort of semester long, grueling project, where the deadline is hanging over your head at all times.”

All that work with their project starts to pay off as the students compete in their various categories at Districts, and if they qualify, at State. Many students in the past have placed well, many of them even placing first at the state level. If they place well enough at state, students even have the chance to go to nationals.

“We usually have a handful go [to nationals]…[which is] in Maryland in the summer,” said Beacom.

Unfortunately the trip to nationals would not be paid for by the school, but is still a great experience.

Both Craft and Beacom are excited to watch their students compete at NHD. They have watched their students put in much work regarding the projects and are looking forward to seeing them compete on March 1.