For Immediate Release

History Day To Draw 600 Ohio Students To Columbus April 26
Ohio Historical Society to Host State Finals at Columbus State Community College

(Columbus, Ohio, April 1, 2008) - After weeks of research at the library, honing their presentation skills and winning their district competition, more than 600 students from around Ohio will meet in Columbus on Saturday, April 26 for National History Day in Ohio.

At Columbus State Community College students in grades six through 12 will present history projects as they seek to advance to the national event June 15-19 at University of Maryland at College Park. Students will compete for awards cash prizes and college scholarships at the national level.

Founded in 1974 in Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University, National History Day is a highly acclaimed year-long program that makes history come alive by demonstrating that students learn history best when they actively engage in a topic. History Day allows students to do independent research and create a project related to the annual theme. They can present their projects in the form of a paper, exhibit, documentary, performance or web site.

"History Day students develop skills in research, critical thinking and presentation that will serve them well in college and the workplace," said William K. Laidlaw Jr., executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society, which coordinates National History Day in Ohio. "They are enhancing their ability to excel in all subject areas through participation in History Day events."

Since 1995, the Ohio Historical Society has coordinated National History Day in Ohio, with support from Honda of America Manufacturing. Last year, more than 7,500 Ohio students participated in the program. The Ohio Historical Society seeks to expand the program’s reach by working with teachers and students through workshops, support programs and online resources.

Under this year's theme, "Conflict and Compromise in History," students will present imaginative projects in junior and senior divisions in categories of exhibits, documentaries, dramatic performances, web sites and historical papers. After 80 volunteer judges complete their work, approximately 50 students will be named to advance to the national event.

"We are expecting another great state event with more than 600 outstanding student projects," said Megan Wood, state coordinator for National History Day in Ohio at the Ohio Historical Society. “The key to a successful entry is selecting a good topic, narrowing the focus and providing documented, credible sources.

Students are encouraged to consider different sides of an issue in order to present as complete a picture as possible.”

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. at Columbus State Community College, Center for Workforce Development, 1070 College Ave, Columbus, OH and the Delaware Hall Gym at 550 E. Spring Street. First-round judging begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:45 a.m. Second-round judging begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. An awards ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Southern Theater, 21 E. Main St, Columbus. The public is welcome to attend.

Established in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology and natural history. For more information about programs and events, call 614.295.2300/800.686.6124 or go online at www.ohiohistory.org.

Thank you for your interest in the Ohio Historical Society!