Four Elizabethtown College students served as National History Day (NHD) Competition Judges at Elizabethtown Area High School in January, providing feedback on the historical research projects created by students in celebration of NHD. Etown students have been involved with National History Day projects at the local high school since 2018.
“This experience is beneficial for Elizabethtown College students across a range of studies, including Social Studies Secondary Education, History, and Public Heritage Studies, to gain first-hand practical experience,” Elizabethtown College Director Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships and Public Heritage Studies, Jean-Paul Benowitz said. “The high school students can envision attending college and learn from Etown students who are engaged in history-related internships and student teaching, as well as preparing for graduate schools and careers as historians.”
Elizabethtown College students listen as students from a local high school present their projects focused on Pennsylvania history for the National History Day competition.
Etown Honors students Jordyn Dutko ’26, a History and Political Science major, pursuing a Public Heritage Studies certificate, and Francesco Mancini-Menditto ’26, a Social Studies Education major, pursuing a Public Heritage Studies certificate, along with Etown students Jacob Schuller ’25, a History and Political Science major, and Joseph Arlands ’24, a Japanese and Asian Studies major, mentored 10th through 12th – grade students enrolled in a Pennsylvania History course. The high school students created a project revolving around a topic they chose from Pennsylvania history, focusing on a significant moment in history to match the National History Day “Turning Points in History” theme.
Dutko’s own National History Day project as a high school senior advanced to the 2022 National Contest and was ranked in the top 10 entries in the country. She was awarded the National Constitution Prize for the project and currently serves as a judge at the regional and state competition levels.
“Giving back to National History Day after being involved in it for so many years as a student is such an amazing experience,” Dutko said. “Getting to be a part of these students’ learning process is truly a fulfilling way to give back within my area of study and I want to continue supporting them in their history education.”
Dutko and fellow Etown students played the role of NHD Competition Judges at this year’s event.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a competition judge,” Schuller said. “It was a great opportunity to volunteer and help out the local high school with their National History Day projects.”
Benowitz also led the high school students on a walking tour of Elizabethtown in November. Beginning on the square in Elizabethtown at the intersection of Market and High Streets, Benowitz guided them through the history of the town, starting with its establishment by French fur traders and going through the early Mennonite settlers. He also walked them through key moments from Elizabethtown College’s history.
About National History Day
National History Day is a nonprofit education organization improving the teaching and learning of history. NHD reaches more than half a million students and tens of thousands of teachers each year via its international student history contest and its wide range of teacher professional development programs, curriculum tools, and other educational activities.
