BISD Students Advance to State in National History Day Competition

March 20, 2025

The Belton Journal

Belton ISD announced that 41 students from grades 4 through 12 will represent the district at the Texas State National History Day (NHD) competition at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin on Saturday, April 5.

This group, representing 15 different projects, marks the second-largest state contingent in the district’s history—a testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of students and social studies educators.

National History Day is the premier competitive event in history education, providing students with the opportunity to explore historical topics of personal interest while building critical research and analytical skills. Each year, participants develop a historical argument in response to a theme, using primary source research to support their findings.

Students present their work through one of five categories: documentary, website, performance, exhibit, or research paper. Their projects are then evaluated by expert judges, including historians and university professors, based on the quality and depth of research.

“National History Day goes beyond competition. It pushes them to think critically, conduct in-depth research, and present their findings in meaningful ways. In a world where critical consumption and analysis of information is increasingly difficult, these students stand apart,” said Chris Lemley, Belton ISD Social Studies Coordinator.

Only first and second-place finishers at the Heart of Texas Regional History Fair earn the opportunity to advance to the state competition, and from there, students will compete for a chance to qualify for the National History Day competition, held June 8-12, 2025, at the University of Maryland and Washington, D.C.

“National History Day empowers students to engage with history as an ongoing conversation,” said Mike Krecker, Lake Belton High School AP U.S. History Teacher and NHD sponsor. “The process of researching and analyzing sources gives them the confidence to contribute meaningful insights. Many students initially struggle with forming analytical research questions, but throughout the year, I’ve watched them grow—learning to evaluate the credibility of primary and secondary sources and, most importantly, to ask thoughtful questions. Too often, students leave high school without the ability to critically question the past or gather credible sources to find answers. NHD students do this with every source they examine and every word they write. This work not only strengthens their academic skills but also prepares them to think critically in all areas of life and become informed, engaged citizens.”

As our students refine and perfect their projects for the state competition, we invite the community to support them in their journey. We encourage attendance at the state competition to cheer on these young historians as they showcase their hard work.

Financial support is crucial to help students who advance to the national competition. The cost for each student to participate at nationals is approximately $750, and we are seeking contributions from the community to help make this opportunity possible. Historically, Belton ISD sends an average of 2-4 students to nationals each year, and we need to secure funding by April 11, 2025, to ensure our students can attend. To contribute and support these young historians, please visit here or deliver payments in person to the receptionist at the Belton ISD Central Administration office, located at 400 North Wall Street, Belton.

The district has built a strong reputation in National History Day competitions, with at least one student advancing to nationals every year for the past seven years. This consistency has positioned our district as one of the most successful NHD programs in the state.

Beyond the competition itself, students who attend the national event have the unique opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., visit the National Mall attractions, participate in social events with other students from across the country, and attend workshops led by esteemed historians. Last year, students had the chance to learn from renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

For more information about National History Day, visit NHD.org. Educators, parents, and community members who would like to support our students—whether through donations, mentorship, or attending the competition—are encouraged to contact Chris Lemley at chris.lemley@bisd. net.