Iñupiaq men in qayaqs, Noatak, Alaska, circa 1929. Edward S. Curtis Collection, Library of Congress Digital Collections.
Crossing the Chilkoot Pass, circa 1898. Courtesy Candy Waugaman and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
The Gold Rush boomtown of Nome on the Seward Peninsula, 1900. Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library.
Alaska students Clare Howard, Camille Griffith, and Leo McNicholas were awarded the Junior Division Native American History Award at the annual National History Day (NHD) competition, held last month at the University of Maryland.
Clare, Camille, and Leo, all from Anchorage, won for their documentary entitled Elizabeth Peratovich’s Leadership to Change Native Rights and Her Lasting Legacy in Alaska.
Two entries from Alaska also received the Outstanding Entry Award, which recognizes quality work, well-rounded research, and great student achievement. Kasey Casort of Fairbanks received the award for her website entitled Bayard Rustin: Leading the Fight for Civil Rights. Bailey Buenarte and Sam Michelle Tuazon of Anchorage received the award for their group website on Theodore Roosevelt.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for all of their time and effort they put in to their projects,” said state coordinator Valerie Gomez. “These students have not only deepened their understanding of their chosen topics, but also been energized by learning. This program truly brings history to life for students.”
Twenty-three middle and high school student from around the state represented Alaska at the national competition. Each student developed entries based on the theme Leadership & Legacy in History.
National History Day is a year-long academic organization for elementary and secondary school students that focuses on the teaching and learning of history. More than a half million students across the nation participate each year.
For more information, please contact Valerie Gomez at the National Park Service (907-644-3467; valerie_gomez (at) nps.gov.
