Maine National History Day is an annual event for teachers and students interested in developing critical thinking skills and an understanding of the past through original research. Using primary sources, students complete projects (research papers, exhibits, presentations, and performances) and present them at the statewide competition.

The theme for this year’s National History Day isTriumph & Tragedy in History. Students select an individual, idea or event and demonstrate how and why their topic was a triumph and/or a tragedy in history.

Winners from Bonny Eagle in the Senior division

Group Exhibit: First Place Jessica Pratt and Kalie Stevens for Slave Tragedy turns to Triumph Aboard the Underground Railroad.

Second place: Lauren Gowell and Cori Simmons for Sprinting beyond a Cripling Disease: Wilma Rudolph.

Historical Paper: Stacy Sullivan for The Cutter Incident: A Great Tragedy From the Triumph of the Salk Polio Vaccine.

Special awards were given to Stacy Sullivan who was recognized for the contemporary relevance of her historical paper. Sullivan’s paper was also selected for its outstanding use of primary sources. Jessica Pratt and Kalie Stevens were reconized for creativity for their exhibit.

The Bonny Eagle High School students were also awarded a plaque for the most points for the senior division among senior high schools at Maine History Day. The top two winners in each category qualify to participate in the National History Day finals in June at the University of Maryland.