(Posted April 4, 2005)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Pennsylvania's annual History Day district competition is slated for Wednesday, April 6 at Juniata College. Students from 11 middle and high schools are expected to participate in the event, which focuses on the theme "Communication in History: The Key to Understanding."

Participating schools are: Bedford Area High School; Bedford Area Middle School; Huntingdon Area High School; Huntingdon Area Middle School; Indian Valley High School; Lewistown Area High School; Mount Nittany Middle School; Selinsgrove Area High School; State College Area High School; Strodes Mills Middle School; and Tyrone Area Middle School.

The event, which usually brings in more than 300 students, teachers, student observers and parents, will be the 20th year that Juniata College has hosted the History Day competition at the district level. The district encompasses Blair, Centre, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Snyder counties.

History Day registration is from 8 to 8:45 a.m. in the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center. After the day's activities have ended, awards will be presented at 2 p.m. in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Science Center.

Students can compete in any of seven categories: Historical paper (1,500-2,500 words, individuals only); individual exhibit; group exhibit; individual performance (such as short plays or interpretive readings); group performance; documentaries; and group documentaries.

Entries are judged in two divisions. The junior division includes students in grades 6-8. The senior division includes students in grades 9-12. Judges for the competition will be Juniata College students studying in history, politics, secondary education, social studies, business, psychology and other programs.

During the competition, visiting students, faculty and guests can tour the Juniata campus, drop in on classes and eat lunch courtesy of the history department.

The History Day finals -- open for students finishing first or second at the regional level -- will be held May 11-12 at Penn State University. The national finals are held June 12-16 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

History Day encourages students to research and prepare papers, projects, performances and media presentations, and to have their work judged by historians, educators and others.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.