Area junior and senior high school students will compete in Lamar University’s 10th Annual History Day Thurs., Feb. 21 at the Setzer Student Center. More than half a million students around the world will be competing in similar “National History Day” (NHD) contests.

LU’s Department of History sponsors the local event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that time students will choose historical topics related to this year’s NHD theme, “Triumph and Tragedy,” and conduct extensive

primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, the internet, oral history interview, and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources and drawing conclusions, students will present their work in a variety of categories including - original papers, websites, documentaries, exhibits, and performances. Top projects in each category will then have the opportunity to move on to state and national competitions.

“This is a great program to interact with local schools and an excellent opportunity for Lamar University to connect with the community,” said History Instructor Dr. Tina Kibbe, who is co-directing the program with History Instructor Cassandre Durso. “It’s not just for history students; although, it is a history program, most of the students involved do projects that relate to their own interests, whatever they may be.”

LU is expecting 112 students from six area schools, including Livingston Junior and Senior High Schools, West Brook High School, Beaumont Early College High School, Port Arthur Early College High School, and Warren High School.

For more information about Lamar’s NHD, contact Dr. Tina Kibbe. For more information about the National History Day program, visit www.nhd.org.