Two Oasis Academy students, Jacob Pilarksi and Abel Hernandez, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. are, to compete in the National History Day (NHD) National Contest, earning the opportunity to represent both rural Nevada and Oasis Academy on one of the largest stages for student historical research.
The National History Day National Contest is held each year on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park. This year's National History Day program featured more than 500,000 student projects from around the world. After advancing through regional and state competitions, approximately 2,900 students and 1,500 projects across nine competition categories and numerous special awards qualified to compete at the national event.
"We were incredibly proud to represent rural Nevada and Oasis Academy," said National History Day advisor Kelly Nott. "Just qualifying for the national competition is an outstanding accomplishment, and our students represented our school with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of history."
During the week-long event, students stay in the university residence halls, giving them a true college experience. For student Abel Hernandez, the trip included several unforgettable firsts. Traveling to Washington, D.C., marked his very first airplane flight. Both Pilarksi and Hernandez also attended their first Major League Baseball game when the group watched the Washington Nationals play.
Beyond the competition, the experience provided countless educational opportunities. Hernandez, Pilarski, and their parents walked nearly 45 miles during their stay while learning to navigate the area’s rail system as they explored the nation's capital.
The group visited many of the country's most significant historical landmarks, including George Washington's Mount Vernon, where they enjoyed a special guided tour and luncheon. They also toured the United States Capitol, viewing the historic chambers of the Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court, met with and responded to questions from our Nevada state senators, visited the National Archives to see America's founding documents, and explored the Library of Congress.
Their itinerary also included the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and several Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of Natural History and both National Air and Space Museum locations. They enjoyed dinner at Union Station and spent time exploring the National Mall. They visited the Washington Monument and the World War II, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Franklin D. Roosevelt memorials during both the day and evening.
Throughout the week the students met fellow NHD competitors from across the world and participated in the popular tradition of exchanging commemorative state buttons.
National History Day encourages students to conduct extensive historical research using primary and secondary sources while developing critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills. Reaching the national contest represents months of dedication and places students among the top young historians in the nation.