June 18, 2015, Washington, D.C. — Today, awards were presented for the 41st annual National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. More than 600,000 students from around the world competed in five categories: documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites.

The top entries from 58 affiliate members were invited to the national contest held June 14th through 18th. Nearly 3,000 middle and high school students presented their work related to the 2015 theme, Leadership and Legacy in History. Contestants represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and international schools in Central America, China, Korea, and South Asia.

“Once again, I am amazed by the research and effort put into these projects,” said NHD Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The students spend an entire year preparing these projects and deciding between such astounding works is incredibly difficult. I know the judges always find it challenging to choose a winner. I congratulate all of the winners, and all of the contestants who made it to nationals. That itself is quite an accomplishment.”

Numerous awards are granted to both students and teachers including the following:

• First-place entries in the junior documentary, exhibit, paper, performance and website categories earn the designation, “National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Scholar” and receive a $1,000 award sponsored by the NEH.
• First-place entries in the senior documentary categories receive a $5,000 award from HISTORY®. One outstanding senior entry connected to a historic site and one senior project with an international theme also receive $5,000 from HISTORY®.
• Second and third place entries in all categories receive $500 and $250 respectively.
• One middle school and one high school teacher receives the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award and $10,000.
• Two entries from each NHD affiliate receive an “Outstanding Affiliate Entry” award sponsored by the National Park Service.
• More than 20 special awards are presented for topics ranging from African-American History to World War II. Sponsored by organizations from around the country, they are presented to outstanding entries in any category.
• Three senior participants will receive full or partial scholarships from Case Western Reserve University, Chaminade University, and the University of Maryland, College Park. These awards are chosen by university representatives.

Click here to view the full list of winners.

About NHD

NHD is a non-profit education organization based in College Park, MD. Established in 1974, NHD promotes the study of history through year-long project based programs that empower middle- and high-school students to learn about a topic of their choosing. Students around the world conduct extensive research and present their projects at local affiliate contests Top student projects have the opportunity to attend the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park each June. NHD also produces professional development and curriculum materials for educators as well as sponsoring world-wide learning opportunities for students and teachers. NHD is sponsored in part by Kenneth E. Behring, Patricia Behring, HISTORY®, Jostens, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service, Southwest Airlines, the Joe Weider Foundation, and the WEM 2000 Foundation of the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation. For more information, visit nhd.org.