This year, 18 eighth grade students from Singapore American School had an incredible trip to Washington, DC to participate in the 2023 National History Day Finals that was held from June 10 to 15. 

With over half a million students competing worldwide, SAS students were among the elite 3,000 that competed for the top prizes at the University of Maryland. Our Eagles also had the opportunity to learn about America through a tour of the National Monuments, visiting the Supreme Court, and meeting SAS alumna and current US Senator, Tammy Duckworth. Parents, students, and chaperones all had a fabulous time learning and growing as historians. 

Of the 14 projects entered in nine different categories in the Junior Division, eight projects were nominated by their judges for special prizes! Here are the awards and prizes from the final competition:

Veer B.: US Recognition of India: A New Diplomatic Frontier Promoting Democracy, Global Stability, Economic Advancement & Social Ties

Claire L. and Yenna C.: Friedl Dicker-Brandeis: Forming a Fundamental Frontier Amidst the Horrors of the Holocaust*

Jenny J. and Sebin K.: The Los Angeles Civil Unrest of 1992: How Restorative Justice Healed a Splintered Society*

Aadya N.: A Case for Loving: A Frontier for Interracial Marriage

Teryn R. and Kayla T.: Unveiling the Plight of the South African Rhinoceros: Creating A Biodiversity Frontier Through Challenges and Innovation

Daniel Y.: APOPO Rats: A New Frontier in Explosive Detection

Special Honorable Mention (Awarded to projects that placed second in their first round of judging)

Greta B. (Junior Individual Exhibit): All-American Girls Professional Baseball League: A New Frontier For Women to Kick Grass!

Sophie W. (Junior Individual Performance): Josephine Baker: Fame to Hide Secret Frontiers* 

Rhianna F. (Junior Individual Performance): The Pecora Commission: A Revolutionary Frontier in Finance. Rhianna also won the Junior Division Special Prize for History of the US Federal Government.

Junior Individual Paper: Tenth place overall of 89 entries
Siena A.: The International Sweethearts of Rhythm: A Historic Frontier Created by the First Interracial All-Women Jazz Band* 

Junior Individual Documentary: Tenth place overall of 93 entries
Aditi C.: Althea Gibson: The Big Swing to Cross Colour Frontiers in Tennis* 

Junior Individual Exhibit: Fifth place overall of 92 entries
Grace Z.: The Disc Record: A Revolution in Sound Recording (Junior Division Outstanding NHD International Affiliate Prize)* 

Junior Individual Documentary: Third place overall of 93 entries
Maia L.: The Papunya Tula Art Movement: Crossing the Frontier from Ephemeral Indigenous Australian Art to Cultural Preservation (Ken Burns Prize from the Better Angels Society)* 

Junior Group Performance: First place overall of 75 entries
Sofie D. and Lia M.: The Rosenwald Schools: Creating New Frontiers in African American Education in the Jim Crow South*

* = Special prize nomination

Shoutout to all the incredible parents who have been there every step of the way! We also would like to acknowledge the exceptional leadership of Mr. Matt Elms and Mrs. Jennifer Koltutsky, our extraordinary educators who have led our middle school team with passion and expertise!