Fifty-five students from around South Carolina traveled to the University of Maryland in College Park for the National Contest for National History Day June 11-15.

The weeklong competition drew 3,044 middle and high school students from across the nation who had qualified for the event through state competitions held in April, and awards included cash prizes, scholarships, special category prizes and opportunities for exhibition at a Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. South Carolina's National History Day activities are administered through Coastal Carolina University's Department of History.

All student projects reflect this year's National History Day theme of "Taking a Stand in History," involve yearlong research on a topic of the student's choice, and consist of a documentary, performance, research paper, exhibit or website.

Fallon Tomlin from Ocean Bay Middle School in Myrtle Beach placed in the top 10 of the individual performances and won the American Labor History Award for her project on the Chiquola Mill Strike. Rohit Sean Nampoothiry from Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill, S.C., was selected to present his exhibit on the Sepoy Rebellion at the National Museum of American History on Wednesday, June 14.

Malik Hubbard and Ke'von Singleton from Palmetto Scholars Academy in Charleston, S.C., were selected to present their documentary on the Friendship 9 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, June 14.

Julia Breitkreutz from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C., won the Chronicling America Award with her individual performance on Nellie Bly.

Otiana Thompson, Portia Daniels, V'dell Carter, Jakayla Cornish and Caitlyn Wilson from Ridge View High School in Columbia, S.C., placed in the top 10 of group performances with their project "Back to Rhodesia: The Chimurenga Story."

Angela Dembiczak, CCU South Carolina History Day coordinator who oversees the program throughout the state, attended the program and represented the state at the competition.

"The History Day program is an invaluable experience for both students and teachers," said Dembiczak. "Students who participate are more successful in their courses, as well as hone essential skills. Plus, it's a memorable and unique experience."

South Carolina History Day, the affiliate program for National History Day, promotes elementary, middle and secondary school students' immersion in historical research and analysis as well as production of creative presentations. South Carolina History Day provides valuable opportunities for more than 5,000 South Carolina students to delve into the state's rich history as well as national and global topics. CCU became the state headquarters for South Carolina History Day in 2016.

CCU held the regional South Carolina History Day competition on March 9 in locations across the Conway campus

For more information, contact Dembiczak at 843-349-2476 or ajdembic@coastal.edu.