Students in the Thomas County Schools MERIT program recently competed in a regional National History Day competition.  Thomas County Middle and Upper Elementary Schools are piloting the competition for South Georgia.  "NHD makes history come alive for America's youth by engaging them in the discovery of the historic, cultural and social experiences of the past. Through hands-on experiences and presentations, students are better able to inform the present and shape the future. NHD inspires students through exciting competitions and transforms teaching through project-based curriculum and instruction.  Students get to choose their own topics and decide for themselves how they wish to present their research at state and national competitions. Students gain experience conducting advanced research with primary and secondary sources.  Additionally, the NHD program can be worked into any curriculum to fulfill the Georgia Performance Standards for Social Studies." www.nhd.org This year’s NHD theme is “Turning Points in History – People, Places, and Events.” These students will compete in the state contest April 27 at Mercer University.

Junior Group Performance State Contest Qualifiers

1.            “Franz Ferdinand”—Andrew Carnes, Logan Prince, Pace Mercer, Tyler Carter (6th grade)

2.            “The Beatles”—Beaver, Hall, Carson, NeSmith, and Dixon (8th grade)

3.            “Holocaust”—Fender, Owens (7th grade)

Junior Group Exhibits State Contest Qualifiers

1.            “The Desegregation of Thomas County Schools”—Erin Alford and Celia Kornegay (7th grade)

2.            “The Fire that Changed America” –Tori Stringer and Drew Lloyd (7th grade)

3.            “The Ridley Cases”—Caitlin Hobbs, Jakiyra Slater, Kennedy Ward (7th grade)

4.            “The Beatles”—Madison Everett, Riley Jo Rayburn, Izabella Rosales (8th grade)

5.            “Jackie Robinson: the Game Changer”—Endsley Wilson and Haleigh Crozier (8th grade)

Junior Individual Exhibits State Contest Qualifiers

1.            “American Liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps”—Emily Mitchell (6th grade)

2.            “Construction of the Berlin Wall”—Elizabeth Nix (6th grade)

3.            “Sinking of the Lusitania”—Caroline Pope (6th grade)

4.            “Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor”—Ethan Mims (6th grade)

5.            “Pickett’s Charge”—Marion Rose Young (7th grade)