On Saturday, May 6th, students from West Morris Central High School, a Gilder Lehrman school in Chester, New Jersey, took home a host of awards from the New Jersey History Day competition held at William Paterson University. The theme for this year’s competition was “Taking a Stand in History.” Nearly sixty students from the school’s Gilder Lehrman program competed. They are all sophomores taking United States History I.

"I was so excited about the results of the competition," said Rosanne Lichatin, Lead Teacher in the Social Studies Department at West Morris Central High School. “However, the most valuable experience for me was to watch students as they explored and researched topics of interest in American History. All of the participants benefited from the experience. They were able to appreciate the work of a historian as they worked with primary sources to develop their papers and projects. Students also were required to answer questions posed by history professors. It was so rewarding to hear my students clearly articulate their research methods and the value of working with original documents."

Melissa Kenny took First Prize in the Research Paper category for her paper on the Lowell Mill Girls, textile factory workers in nineteenth century Massachusetts. Gregory Yakimec took Second Prize in the Research Paper category for his paper on Virginia statesman and Founding Father George Mason.

In the Group Documentary category, Maggie Griebert, Jennifer Samples, Meghan Rathbun, and Kerry Miles took Second Place for their film, "A Vote that Changed the Nation," about Susan B. Anthony and the women’s suffrage movement.

Warren Ferrante took Third Place in the Individual Documentary category for his oral history about Captain Vincent Vicari, who served during the Battle of the Bulge in the 101st Airborne Division.

First Place and Second Place winners will compete at the National History Day competition held at the University of Maryland in June.

West Morris Central High School is a Gilder Lehrman history school. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History sponsors 31 history schools and 14 Saturday academies nationwide. Gilder Lehrman history schools are rigorous, college-preparatory schools centered on American history. They have a track record of raising test scores and sending more than 90 percent of graduating seniors to college. At the core of these schools is a four-year sequence of courses in American history. In many of these schools, the entire student body participates in the Gilder Lehrman program. In other schools, including West Morris Central High School, a select portion of the student body participates.

For more information on Gilder Lehrman History Schools, visit:
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/history2.html