Three IUSD Students Take Top Honors at U.S. National History Day

National History Day

Three IUSD students took top honors at the prestigious 2024 National History Day national competition. Additionally, fifteen IUSD students showcased their historical prowess on a national stage earlier this month.

Harmony Yan-Li, a student from Irvine High School, secured third place in the Senior Individual Documentary category. Her project, titled “Turning Points in History: Frances Kelsey and the Thalidomide Scandal,” captivated judges with its deep exploration of a critical moment in pharmaceutical history.

Sierra Vista Middle School student Audrey Kim earned second place in the Junior Individual Performance category. Her project skillfully highlighted a pivotal turning point in the Korean War that significantly influenced the inception of NATO.

Henry Wiechmann, also from Sierra Vista Middle School, was honored with a special award recognizing his project's focus on Latino-American History.

Notably, Orange County had the highest number of championship projects with more than half of the awards going to IUSD students.

 The National History Day competition celebrates academic excellence by encouraging students to delve into historical research, present their findings compellingly, and connect the past to the present. Identifying an issue, developing an inquiry around it and exploring the realities of these global themes are critical to citizenship in the 21st century. 

Congratulations to all participants from IUSD for their outstanding achievements at the 2024 National History Day competition.


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