Local students present original research projects as program rebuilds post-COVID participation

PORT ALLEN, LA — Students from across the Baton Rouge area gathered at the West Baton Rouge Museum last Thursday, February 26, to compete in the regional round of National History Day, presenting original research projects on topics ranging from government mind control programs to deadly factory fires.

This year's theme — "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History" — coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Students chose their own topics within that framework and presented their work as documentaries, exhibits, performances, papers, or websites, competing for a chance to advance to the state level and ultimately the national competition held each June at the University of Maryland.

An estimated five to six schools participated in the regional contest, according to educators on site — a modest turnout compared to the program's pre-pandemic years.

"It used to be a lot larger. There used to be hundreds of kids here," said Jessica Millien, a high school history teacher at Iberville Math, Science and Arts Academy, who brought a group of senior students to compete. "I think COVID kind of put a damper on that, and they're trying to rebuild the program."

Despite the smaller field, the students who showed up brought serious research to the table.

From MKUltra to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory: Students Dig Into Dark Chapters of History

London Schexnydre and Jeiry Moran, juniors at Liberty Magnet High School, took first place in the Senior Group Documentary category for the second consecutive year. Their documentary, "MKUltra: Fear, Secrecy and Reform in Cold War America," examines the CIA's controversial mind control program and the lasting lessons it holds for government accountability and civil liberties.

"Don't tell my history teacher, but I'm not really into history," Schexnydre said with a laugh. "But I love this because it gives me an opportunity to learn history in a fun way. My thing is, I love researching."

Moran said the experience strengthened skills beyond just history class, particularly the documentation requirements that come with building a competition-level project.

"It definitely made my love for history bigger," Moran said. "This definitely helps me, not only history, but school overall."

Both students will advance to the state competition alongside Adams.

Other students presented documentaries on a range of topics. Brooklynn Bessonet and her group tackled H.H. Holmes and the origins of forensic science, while Avery Burley's team produced a documentary on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire — the 1911 New York City disaster that killed 146 garment workers trapped in a building with inadequate fire escapes. The team divided responsibilities across research, writing, editing, and filming, and expressed hope about advancing to the next level of competition.

The day also included a history bee, giving students a chance to compete in a more informal trivia-style format alongside the formal judging.

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

National History Day is a nationwide program that engages more than half a million students each year in conducting original historical research. Students compete at local, regional, and state levels before top entries advance to the national contest. Projects are evaluated on both historical quality and clarity of presentation, with students required to produce annotated bibliographies and process papers documenting their research methods.

For educators like Millien, the value goes beyond winning. The program pushes students to dig into primary sources, build arguments, and present their findings — skills that translate well beyond a history classroom.

Brusly High School Student Takes First Place

Brusly High School student Ireland Adams earned first place in the exhibit category at the regional competition. Her exhibit, "How Did Dorothea Reform Prisons," explored the 19th-century activist's efforts to overhaul the treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill. Adams will advance to the state competition at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on April 11.

Winners from the regional competition will advance to the state contest, with top finishers there earning a trip to the national competition in College Park, Maryland, this June.

For more information about National History Day, visit nhd.org.

Posted on March 3, 2026 by John Summers