11 Bennington Middle School students didn’t just study history—they made it. Thanks to a Fall 2024 Classroom Grant and the guidance of sixth-grade teacher Amy Diegel, the school launched its first-ever National History Day program, and their debut at the Omaha District competition was nothing short of spectacular: every project advanced to the state level!
National History Day (NHD) is a highly regarded program for elementary and secondary students where each year, more than half a million students, encouraged by their teachers nationwide, participate in district, state, and national contests. Every year, NHD selects a theme to frame students' research. This theme provides a lens to read and study history, understand historical context, and ultimately culminates in the ability to see connections over time. This year's theme is "Rights and Responsibilities.”
From original performances to detailed exhibits, Bennington students showcased their creativity, critical thinking, and historical insight in this years competition.
“Our students took ownership of their learning,” Diegel said. “This program taught them research and time-management skills, and seeing their pride in their work was incredible.”
Projects & awards included:
- Roman Meier and Noah Barton – 3rd Place, Junior Group Website: “Experimentation and Accountability: The Impact of Agent Orange on Human Rights” – Examines how the U.S. Military’s mishandling of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War violated soldiers’ rights. View Project
- Mungringawng Bawmwang – 1st Place, Junior Individual Website: “Rights Recognized, Responsibilities Realized: The Universal Declaration and Its Influence” – Explores how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) established global human rights protections after WWII. View Project
- Aria Chaney, Lucy Drahota, and Amaya Shaw – 1st Place, Junior Group Performance: “Carmella Teoli’s Voice: A Testament to Workers’ Rights and Employers’ Responsibilities” – Highlights Carmella Teoli’s role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike to fight child labor.
- Payton Combes and Valeriya Bridgeford – 2nd Place, Junior Group Performance: “Rights in Paradise: Wilhelmina Dowsett and the Responsibility of Suffrage in Hawaii” – Chronicles Dowsett’s advocacy for women’s voting rights in Hawaii amid sovereignty struggles.
- Brynn Bombeck and Makenzie Jacobs – 3rd Place, Junior Group Exhibit and Douglas County Museum Award: “Standing Bear’s Triumph: Rights Affirmed, Responsibilities Reclaimed” – Focuses on Standing Bear’s landmark legal case for Native American recognition. Their exhibit will also be displayed at the Douglas County Museum.
- Evelyn Olson – 3rd Place, Junior Individual Exhibit: “Protecting Wildlife: Rights of Nature, Responsibilities of Humanity” – Analyzes the long-term impact of the Endangered Species Act on animal protection.
The Foundation funding reusable presentation board and set materials , which can be reused by the club year after year.
"I think having those [materials] made the students more confident in the presentation of their projects overall!”, said Diegel.
Impact Highlights:
- 11 sixth-grade students participated in NHD’s inaugural year at Bennington.
- All six projects advanced to the state competition on April 12 at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
- The program fostered critical skills like research, teamwork, and public speaking.
“This experience has already had such a positive impact on our students,” Diegel said. “It’s about discovering their strengths, gaining confidence, and preparing for the future. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Learn more about Nebraska National History Day State Competition
