Over the weekend of May 7-10, 17 Riverview students competed in the National History Day in Pennsylvania state finals. These 17 students were Junior Jocelyn Schaaf, Sophomores Amberson Bauer, Jack Betler, Taylor Billet, Patrick Harvey, Declan Hawk, Ziad Jaafar, Liam McElligott, Christian Palochik, Matthew Rossi, Daniel Roupas, and Blaine Shadle and Freshmen Paul Domhoff, Toby Green, Tyler Green, Cohen Hoolahan, and Julia Slagle.
The students earned the opportunity to compete in the state finals round for placing first or second at the NHD Pittsburgh Regional Competition in March. Throughout the weekend, the students had their projects, which were created to focus on the 2021 NHD theme of "Communication in History: The Key to Understanding" judged virtually by a team of judges who ranked them against the other state finalists from across the Commonwealth.
During the process, judges consider historical context and accuracy, historical significance, and relation to the theme along with other traditional project-based criteria. The first and second place winners at the state competition earn the opportunity to present their projects at the National History Day National Virtual Finals, June 13-19, 2021.
Special congratulations to Riverview Sophomore Taylor Billet whose Senior Individual Exhibit entitled "Simple Words Explain Complex Emotions" won Second Place in the state of Pennsylvania and will advance to the National Finals! Good Luck, Taylor!
Also placing at the state competition were:
Patrick Harvey, Declan Hawk, Ziad Jaafar, and Matthew Rossi - Fifth Place Group Documentary - “The Brave Navajo Code Talkers of WWII”
Paul Domhoff, Tyler Green, Toby Green, and Cohen Hoolahan - Sixth Place Group Documentary - “Gandhi's Communication”
Congratulations to all students who advanced to the state level in a year where learning and interacting has been impacted by the worldwide pandemic. You all persevered and thrived. You continue to make Riverview Proud!