DES MOINES – More than 60 students from across the state took top honors at the National History Day in Iowa contest this past week, earning a trip to the NHD National Finals at the University of Maryland to compete for scholarships and prizes. Among them was: Mia Kawamitsu, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln School – Senior Individual Documentary, “A Ray of Hope”; Isabel Solivan, Clarinda Community School – Senior Individual Performance, “Audrey Hepburn: Taking a Stand with UNICEF”, and Anna Boes, Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln – Senior Individual Website, “Wokiksuye.”

National History Day is a year-long academic enrichment program that challenges students to research, develop and present papers, exhibits, documentaries, websites and performances about historical issues, ideas, people and events related to an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Taking a Stand in History.”

This year’s 66 national qualifiers included students from 21 different schools – a new record – plus two home-school students from Spencer. For more information, go to: www.iowaculture.gov/history/education/national-history-day/contests/state-contest/awards