Well, it’s an exciting announcement to me, anyway. It’s been hard keeping up with general writing around here over the past few months, and I feel that I’ve been absent much more than usual, but it hasn’t been without good cause.
Remember last year when I shared about Entering a National History Day Competition?
My Big Helper entered again this year. She’s been writing a paper about the conflict between Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. It’s the first research paper she’s ever written, and with homes of both men within driving distance, we’ve been on many research trips and spent much time writing, revising, and writing more.
A month ago she placed at the district competition and advanced to the state competition, which was held this past Saturday. She was so excited to earn the chance to go!
The state competition is always fierce. With the weaker entries weeded out, they’re all great, and instead of advancing three entries, only two advance to the national competition. In all my years of competing, only one kid from my school ever advanced from states.
But now I know a second state-level winner.
My Big Helper WON! She’s headed to the University of Maryland in June for the next round. There will be kids there from all fifty states and international schools in Asia. She’ll have the chance to meet kids from all over!
There isn’t an international level competition, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t high stakes in Maryland. For seniors, there are full college scholarships on the line. There are also cash prizes for special awards; lots of special opportunities, tours, and programs; and the winners receive serious money and entry opportunities.
So, for us, it’s back to the drawing board. Back to the revision stage so she can make sure that her paper is as strong as she can possibly make it.
Then we’ll look forward to fun-filled competition in Maryland and DC.
That’s what we’ve been up to. What about you?
