500,000 students across the country competed in this year’s National History Day. Kellen Hoard, Kamiakin Middle School, was just one of 34 students to win first place in 18 different categories at the June 14 competition in Washington D.C. The eighth grader competed in the Junior Paper category. He won for his paper titled 17 Years: Developing the United States Coinage System. The award designates Kellen as a National Endowment for the Humanities scholar. Kellen is one of just three students from Washington state to win an award or scholarship at this year’s competition.

The annual awards ceremony is the final event of a yearlong academic program. Students in grades 6 to 12 conduct original historical research. Students submit papers, exhibits, websites, documentaries and do public performances. This year’s theme was “Conflict & Compromise in History.”

Several students from across the district participated in this year’s National History Day competition. Hailey North, International Community School, competed at the national finals in the Junior Individual Exhibit category. She submitted a project titled Courage Moves West: Catharine Paine Blaine Pioneers Education and Women's Rights in Seattle.