University of Wyoming Hosts History Day Contest

Nearly 270 students from 29 schools will compete at the 35th annual Wyoming History Day Contest beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 13, at the University of Wyoming.

Winners will represent Wyoming at the National History Day Contest June 14-18 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The 171 entries in this year’s state History Day Contest will be judged by 87 volunteers who will evaluate the entries based on the historical quality, the degree to which the entry relates to this year’s theme, “Leadership and Legacy in History,” and the clarity of the presentation. These judges are composed of UW faculty, staff and graduate students, history educators from across the state, staff from the Wyoming State Archives and State Museum, and the staff of the UW American Heritage Center.

The students have qualified for the state contest by placing first, second or third in their respective categories in either the Junior or Senior Division at one of seven regional contests held last month around Wyoming. More than 1,500 students statewide have participated in Wyoming History Day this year by developing projects in one of five categories including historical papers, documentaries, websites, original performances or exhibits.

In addition to having an opportunity to compete at the national finals, the students at the state contest will compete for numerous special awards and scholarships that are sponsored by various UW departments, organizations and associations throughout Wyoming, and state businesses.

For more information about Wyoming History Day, contact State Coordinator Richard Kean at the UW American Heritage Center, email rkean@uwyo.edu, or call (307) 766-2300.

Schools that will be represented at Wyoming History Day are:

Burlington -- Burlington Schools.

Casper -- Dean Morgan Junior High School; Poison Spider Elementary School; St. Anthony’s Elementary School.

Dubois -- Dubois Elementary School; Dubois Middle School.

Greybull -- Greybull Middle School.

Jackson -- Jackson Middle School.

Lander -- Lander Middle School.

Laramie -- Laramie Junior High School; Laramie High School; Laramie home schools; UW Lab School.

Pinedale -- Pinedale Middle School; Pinedale High School.

Sheridan -- Holy Name Elementary School; Sheridan Junior High School.

Torrington -- Torrington Middle School.

Wheatland -- Wheatland High School; Wheatland Middle School.