Connecticut History Day Bus Tour Spreads Excitement Across the State for National Contest

Hartford, Conn. – Connecticut History Day staff and volunteers set out across the state earlier this month to recognize students for their outstanding achievement in the 2021 Connecticut History Day Contest and share excitement for the students who will be competing in the National History Day Contest this weekend. The bus tour visited schools in Farmington, Moodus, New Haven, Norwalk, Norwich, South Windsor, and Westport.

Rebecca Taber, Head of Connecticut History Day, recognizes Karen Cook of Norwich Free Academy, the Connecticut nominee for the senior division Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award from National History Day.

At each stop along the bus tour, students who placed in first, second, and third place in the 2021 State Contest we presented medals, and students who advanced to the National Contest received lawn signs to display their achievement at home.

Watch a video of the CHD Bus Tour HERE.

On the bus tour, CHD staff also recognized two teachers who were nominated for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award from National History Day for their roles in leading their schools the program. Karen Cook, a teacher at Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, was nominated for the award in the Senior Divison, and Salwa Collings, a teacher at Madina Academy in Windsor, was nominated in the Junior Division.

Fifty-six middle and high-school students are set to represent Connecticut at the National History Day Contest this Saturday, June 19, along with almost 3,000 students from across the United States and territories, and from programs in China, Korea, and South Asia, who advanced through the gauntlet of school, regional, state, and affiliate contests to reach the national stage.

Connecticut History Day students

Connecticut History Day, coordinated by The Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House, is one of 58 affiliate programs of NHD. CHD promotes the study of history in schools to create a higher degree of appreciation for the value of historical thought in students, educators, and community members. CHD creates college and career-ready citizens of the future by engaging students in rigorous, inquiry-based academic research projects.

Connecticut History Day is presented with major funding and partnership support from CT Humanities and support from the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and the New Haven Museum. Follow Connecticut History Day on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and visit histordayct.org.

The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) provides people with a lifetime pathway to active citizenship and the tools to take civic action in their own communities. CTDC strengthens civic engagement in the Constitution State by providing comprehensive and unbiased educational programming and outreach on state government, civics, history, and citizenship. Learn more at CTDemocracyCenter.org.