Creating a Future From Our Past
By Chris Ghan, National History Day medalist
National History Day (NHD) has played an important role in my development as a student and a person. An activity that encourages the in-depth study of historical people and events not only helps us understand what shaped our world but how to avoid mistakes of the past and build on great accomplishments. In fact, I think continuing to support such a program is a gift today's adults, like the supporters of the Missouri Humanities Council, can give the young people who will create our tomorrow.
I first became aware of National History Day when I was in elementary school, and my dad had been asked to judge at the state level. Though I was too young to actually compete, I found myself intrigued by the contest and decided that I would enter as soon as I was old enough. That time came in sixth grade, but my first excursion into NHD did not go over well. I wrote a paper on the Dred Scott decision, but it was knocked out at Regionals and I did not even get a chance to interview with the judges.
I was discouraged and didn't want to go through an ordeal like that again. I did not compete again until ninth grade. That is when I found my niche.
I've always had a talent for imitating voices and memorizing lines, as well as a love of writing that had first prompted me to enter the paper category back in sixth grade. Deciding to combine these skills, I entered the Individual Performance category, portraying FDR and his famous Fireside Chats. I won first place at Regionals and went on to win third place at State, becoming the alternate to National History Day! What a leap from nowhere! Though I didn't get to go to Nationals, my success encouraged me and I decided immediately that I would compete again the next year.
My next performance in 2006 was as Harry Truman and dealt with his integration of the military. As a sophomore in high school, I was maturing. I learned from my FDR performance to add more to my project than a simple recitation of facts. I used movement and touches of humor to keep the audience engaged. I was the only one in my category at Regionals, thus finishing first and from there I went on to win first place at State competition. I also received the Arvarh Strickland Award for African American History. I was so thrilled when they called my name. This first place finish led to my first trip to the National competition in College Park, and, though I did not make it to the final round, I had an amazing experience.
The next year I did not compete in NHD for a couple of reasons. First, the Truman performance had been widely reported in the local media and I had many requests to appear at civic meetings and other events as Harry Truman. I was fortunate enough to be asked to perform at some history day teacher workshops, including one at the Kansas City Public Library and one at the Truman Presidential Library. Imagine that! I was asked to portray Harry Truman at the museum that honored his presidency. It was amazing. Secondly, I wanted to focus on my high school debating.
Chris as Truman meets "Gen. MacArthur" at the Ralls County Sesquicentennial, 2008
The year after that, however, was my senior year in high school, and I knew it would be my last chance to compete in National History Day. For this final performance I became Benjamin Franklin, and my project dealt with his complex relationship with the issue of slavery, culminating in his becoming America’s first respected abolitionist leader. As a fascinating historical figure with changing views to examine and a well-known wit, he seemed a character almost tailor-made for the competition and the category. "Spirit of Liberty: Benjamin Franklin and Slavery" won first place at Regionals and State, and then I headed out to Nationals for the second and final time. There I succeeded not only in making it to the final round, but in winning third place in the nation for the Senior Individual Performance category. This was a truly remarkable experience - I felt that in the final round I was inspired to give my absolute best performance, and then afterward I alternated wildly between being certain I'd bagged first with no contest, and being equally certain I'd finished at the bottom of the rankings. Hearing my name called for the third place award in the huge gym at the University of Maryland gave me a remarkable feeling of pride in myself and my accomplishments.
While we were at the national competition, the National History Day program also was lobbying for increased funding to help the program grow. Delegates were asked to contact their local representatives to discuss the issue. I was privileged to get to do some lobbying for History Day with Senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, as well as Congressman Roy Blunt.
Senator McCaskill was very busy the day of my appointment with the Anheiser-Busch-InBev negotiations, appearing on CNN and presiding over the Senate. So now it seems even more amazing that she took time to meet with me for a few minutes, talk about History Day and have her staff take our photo together. While I did not get to meet with Senator Bond, speaking instead to a staffer, I did meet him in Congressman Blunt's office as he came in for the two to hold a news conference on the FISA agreement. I was still dressed in my NHD Missouri delegate t-shirt as we had just come from the medal ceremony and Congressman Blunt even asked me to give some of my Franklin performance in his office. But even more amazing is that had it not been for National History Day, I would not have had the chance to be there and witness this piece of the inner workings of the government as the news conference announcement unfolded. It was quite exciting, as well as, I hope, helpful for the program.
Despite my disappointing initial entry into the contest, I learned from it. I also became more determined to find my historical "voice" and try again. Each time I prepared an entry my experience with NHD has been both fun and very educational. It is important to study history, because everything that our world is today has been shaped by the past. NHD offers a chance for students to delve in-depth into historical figures and events in a way that both encourages creativity and is, simply put, very enjoyable.
It has also been important to be able to study these historical figures in depth and learn from them the qualities that led them to make their mark on history. From Dred Scott I learned that when we take a stand, even a failed one, it can have repercussions throughout history. From Franklin Roosevelt I learned the value of communication to leaders and leadership. From Harry Truman, I learned that duty and loyalty to your principles are strong enough to overcome ingrained cultural prejudices. And from Benjamin Franklin, I learned the importance of hard work and an open mind, and how sometimes a little humor can be a powerful weapon for freedom.
National History Day is an outstanding program that we should continue to support. Now that I am in college, I will serve as a judge at the 2009 Regional competition and my ultimate goal is to make one more trip to College Park as a National History Day intern. I believe this could be an outstanding learning experience for me as I prepare for a career in academia. I believe that any student who is interested in history should compete at least once. It will be an experience they will never regret.
[Below: Missouri's 2008 Delegation to the National History Day Finals]
