Deanna Schmidt, 2016 Show-Me Prize Winner

The Bicentennial Committee established the Show-Me Prize for National History Day in Missouri students in 2014 to inspire exploration of significant developments in Missouri history and the role Missourians have played in national and international events. Currently, 6,000 sixth- through twelfth-grade students are competing at regional competitions throughout the state. Should you know a NHDMO scholar advancing to the state contest on April 29, please encourage them to check out the Show-Me Prize. See nhdmo.org for more information.

Deanna Schmidt, 2016 Show-Me Prize Winner

Please join the Bicentennial Committee in congratulating Deanna Schmidt! Her senior division paper, Encountering Desegregation: The St. Louis Struggle for Integrated Catholic Schools, was selected as the 2016 Show-Me Prize Winner at the National History Day in Missouri state contest on April 30.

The award, established in 2014, is presented to the best individual senior division entry in any category that showcases a significant development in Missouri history or demonstrate how a Missourian contributed to significant events in national or international history.

Join us in encouraging sixth- through twelfth-grade students competing in National History Day in Missouri to check out the Show-Me Prize! The Bicentennial Committee established the award in 2014 to foster exploration of significant developments in Missouri history and the role Missourians have played in national and international events. See nhdmo.org for more information.

Hannah Scott at National History Day in Missouri, 2015

Please join the Bicentennial Committee in congratulating Hannah Scott, a two-time winner of the Show-Me Prize. Her senior individual exhibit titled Lucile Bluford: The Conscience of Kansas City and her Leadership in The Call for Change was selected for the 2015 award at the National History Day in Missouri state contest on April 25.

Scott also won the prize in 2014 for Women of Steel: The Rights and Responsibilities of America’s Arsenal for Production. Presented by the Bicentennial Committee, the award encourages students to explore significant developments in Missouri history or demonstrate how Missourians contribute to important national or international events.

The second Show-Me Prize will be awarded at the 2015 National History Day in Missouri state contest. Please encourage any sixth- through twelfth-grade students you may know that compete to apply. The prize, established in 2014, encourages exploration of significant developments in Missouri history and the role Missourians have played in national and international events. Visit nhdmo.org for more information.

More than 3,000 motivated sixth- through twelfth-grade students compete in National History Day in Missouri each year. On April 26 roughly 600 students advanced from regional competitions to the state competition on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus to showcase their exemplary work.

The young scholars conduct extensive research on historical subjects and present their findings through documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites. The high-level work helps them to develop skills that prepare them for successful lives. Many students advance from the state contest to the national competition.

Hannah Scott at National History Day in Missouri

Ninth-grader Hannah Scott from Odessa advanced to nationals in 2013, finishing in seventh place for her junior individual exhibit, Penicillin: Wonder Drug of the Battlefront, Turning Point for Modern Medicine. Scott spent the 2013-14 school year working on her project, Women of Steel: The Rights and Responsibilities of America’s Arsenal for Production, to top her award-winning entry. While her subject changed, her process didn’t.

“I’ve been working really hard to make it to nationals again this year,” Scott said. “I had such a great time last year, and it was amazing to have my exhibit displayed at the National Museum of American History in DC. I just really hope my project is good enough for me to go again.”

At the 2014 state contest, Scott earned the right to advance to nationals by placing second in her category. The special prize judges also rewarded Scott’s efforts. She received a Missouri History Prize, sponsored by the Missouri State Museum, the Native Sons & Daughters of Greater Kansas City Prize, and the first ever Show Me Prize, established and presented by the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Bicentennial Committee.

“Hannah’s project is great and exactly what I had in mind when we created the Show Me Prize,” committee chair Brent Schondelmeyer said. “The award is meant to celebrate the unique contributions of our state to national and international history. Missourians impact the world in more ways than we realize.”

Scott found both local and national sources to support her project on women’s contributions in WWII. “I really enjoyed learning about the many ways women supported the war effort in the Heartland, as opposed to on the East and West coasts,” Scott said.

“The impact on students is tremendous and well worth the investment from the Society and from teachers and parents,” SHSMO Executive Director Gary Kremer said. “Students build confidence, develop their critical thinking, and learn important communication skills. National History Day in Missouri prepares them for college and beyond.”

Students coming to the 2014 National History Day in Missouri state contest will have the opportunity to apply for two new special prizes, one sponsored by the Missouri Press Association and one by the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Bicentennial Committee.  Visit nhdmo.org for more details on each of these new student prizes.