HMS students compete at national level

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Seven Hanscom Middle School students are competing in the 2020 National History Day Project Finals.

The nation-wide competition engages more than 500,000 middle and high school students from across the U.S. throughout the school year and reinforces research and reading skills. The Hanscom students beat out more than 700 other Massachusetts competitors to qualify in categories of written papers, websites, exhibitions and documentaries.

This year’s theme is “Breaking Barriers.”

“I’m so proud of our students and our teachers,” said Erich Ledebuhr, HMS principal. “This really became an interdisciplinary project.”

Sixteen HMS students started the competition in September and competed through local, regional and state-level competitions before officials selected the seven Hanscom students for national finals last month. Project topics included profiles of Bessie Coleman, the Tuskegee Airmen, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Dr. Seuss, among others.

“This quarantine has been tough on everybody, but our teachers and students have been working so hard to stay creative and engaged,” said Ledebuhr. “It’s been amazing to watch all this hard work pay off.”

Typically hosted in Washington D.C., the 2020 finals are being held virtually due to COVID-19. Organizers will announce a first and second place winner for each category in June.

“The competition is fierce and our kids are up against some really high-caliber students, but we’re excited to have made it this far,” said Ledebuhr.