National History Day is a co-curricular, standards-aligned academic program for students in grades 6–12. Participants research topics connected to an annual theme and present their findings through documentaries, exhibit boards, papers, performances or websites.

Montana State University hosted the Montana National History Day state contest recently, bringing together approximately 180 students from across the state in grades sixth through 12th. Montana National History Day is an educational outreach program co-sponsored by the MSU Department of Education and the Montana Historical Society. 

The program is coordinated by Hailey Hancock, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Education, and Melissa Hibbard, interpretive historian with the Montana Historical Society. Sponsored by the College of Letters and Science, the contest gave students an opportunity to showcase their historical research. The top two entries in each category advance to the national competition. 

Students competed in two divisions: junior (grades 6–8) and senior (grades 9–12). All projects followed this year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” 5-Students from Superior participated and 2 advanced to compete in June in Washington DC. Although Juniper Spence and Chloe Carroll did not earn enough points to move on to the national level, both said they were proud of their work and enjoyed the experience.

Spence researched the 19th Amendment and the long struggle for women’s right to vote. 

“As a kid, I’d always learned about women’s rights, but I never realized how big and important the topic was or how long it took,” she said. “It took a lot of effort over generations. Many people dedicated their lives to it, like Alice Paul, who went on strikes and marched in demonstrations.”

Carroll focused her project on how Harvard University influenced other colleges, particularly in opening opportunities for Native American students. 

“A classmate and I originally planned to work together,” Carroll said. “She chose a broader perspective, and I narrowed mine down and continued with the project.”

Graham Boyes qualified for the national competition with his junior division documentary. 

“I qualified for the solo junior documentary, so I get to go to Washington, D.C., in June and compete there,” he said. Boyes’ project explored airline hijacking and its lasting impact on modern aviation security. His interest in the topic began years ago while learning about the infamous hijacker D.B. Cooper. “My dad and I would listen to podcasts about him,” Boyes said. “I thought it would be a cool topic and a chance to learn even more.”

Jimmy Kelly’s project highlighted Alice Greenough, a pioneering figure in women’s rodeo. Junior High history teacher Vicky Nytes explained that Greenough not only started her own rodeo but also helped introduce barrel racing and kept women active in the sport. 

“She was a wife and a mother who helped revolutionize women’s roles in rodeo,” Nytes said. Greenough, born in Red Lodge, rose to prominence on the rodeo circuit in the 1940s and 1950s. “According to Jimmy’s display, she was still riding at age 90 in 1992.” 

Kelly’s project earned the Women’s History Prize, awarded by the National Organization for Women (NOW) in Montana.

A fifth student, ninth grader Mady Neu competed in the Senior Division Individual Exhibit Board category with her project on D-Day but wasn’t available to visit last week.

Nytes said both Boyes and Kelly will travel to Washington, D.C., in June with family members to compete at the national level. Looking ahead already, 2027 is under the microscope. 

“Next year's theme is Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change, which a couple of students are already talking about what they are going to do next year,” Nytes said. “I'm hoping to see more students compete at the Regional and State levels and hopefully continue the tradition of qualifying for Nationals.” 

Vicky Nytes, Superior High School French/Junior High History Teacher, stands next to the partial display student Jimmy Kelly used in National History Day state competition that propelled her to compete in Nationals. Graham Boyes also qualified for the national competition so both will be representing the county in June. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)