NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2021: JUNIOR GROUP PERFORMANCE
by Matt Elms

This year two projects from Singapore American School (Junior Group Performance category) finished the competition with one project as a 10th place Finalist and the other receiving a national award. reached the top 10 of the National History Day (NGD) National Finals. All projects in the 2021 NHD Contest developed a thesis connected with this year’s theme, "Communication in History: The Key to Understanding". 

Kavi A., Neel B., and Raheel T. at National History Day 2021

Junior Group Performance: Tenth Place National Finalist
Communicating Deception: The Key to Success
Students: Kavi A., Neel B., and Raheel T. 
 
Project Summary: Since the birth of warfare, people utilized deception to aid in their success. As Sun Tzu (5th Century B.C.E.) once said, ‘All warfare is based on deception.’ Operation Mincemeat proved the effectiveness of purposeful miscommunication in warfare. After the operation was completed, two German fleets were moved from Sicily to Sardinia. During this time, the Allies successfully invaded Sicily, providing them with a significant geographical and numerical advantage. The deception inspired further plans including Operation Bodyguard (1944) and the American Ghost Army (1944 - 1945). 

William L. and Neal V. at National History Day 2021

Junior Group Performance: Second Place Preliminary Round
New York Times v. the United States: Communicating the First Amendment Rights of the People 

Students: William L. and Neal V.
 
Project Summary: The 1971 landmark Supreme Court case of New York Times Co. V. United States communicated a new understanding of First Amendment rights through a legal battle that has become key to revealing the power the U.S. government wields regarding censorship and how a whistleblower can force government transparency. This allowed for the fueling of the anti-war movement due to the exposure of new information regarding the U.S. government’s hidden involvements in the Vietnam War. This led individuals and organizations in other countries, such as South Africa, to fight for their right to have freedom of expression.
 
Special National Award: E Pluribus Unum in History
This prize goes to an outstanding entry in any category in both the junior and senior divisions. The winning entries will explore how individuals or groups of people have challenged each other and the status quo to create “a more perfect union.” The vision of the America 250 commemoration captures the balance between protecting individual freedom and ensuring the common good, “Coming together as a nation recognizes the power of our diverse stories while never losing sight of our common bonds as Americans. This unity is reflected in our democratic institutions, voluntary associations, and collaborative enterprises. Ideally, we act in concert to promote the common good even as we exercise our individual rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness while honoring the freedom of others to do the same.” The E Pluribus Unum Prize is sponsored by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and the America 250 Foundation.
 
*Projects submitted for the NHD Junior Group Performance category must submit a Process Paper of 500 words, an extensive Annotated Bibliography of Primary and Secondary Sources, and performance under 10 minutes that fits within the requirements of the NHD Performance contest rules.

  • Eagles
  • NHD
  • National History Day
  • SOAR
  • collaboration
  • creativity
  • critical thinking

 

 

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