NORFOLK CHAPTER • VIRGINIA SOCIETY • SAR
DISTRICT SIX
VIRGINIA HISTORY DAY
A Tri-Chapter Support Effort in 2010
Norfolk - Thomas Nelson, Jr. - Williamsburg
VIRGINIA HISTORY DAY
A Tri-Chapter Support Effort in 2010
Norfolk - Thomas Nelson, Jr. - Williamsburg
Virginia History Day is a history competition for students in grades six through twelve. It is conducted at district and state levels in conjunction with the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day program. The first round of competition is held in the eight Districts of Virginia. Students in grades six through eight (6-8) are assigned to the junior division, students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) are assigned to the senior division. In each division, students may compete in any one of eight categories.
Over the past several years, and due in large part to the passionate efforts of our District Five Northern Virginia Compatriots, who worked with their local school systems to assist, judge and sponsor the events, Virginia History Day has become an officially-recognized program of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, with a State Committee Chairman (Ben Fegan, President of the Williamsburg Chapter) and guidance in the VASSAR Handbook.
Chapters which participate may earn streamers and awards for their (combined) efforts, which include such things as providing judges and visitors, making financial contributions and reaching out to local school communities to spread the word about the competitions, which begin at the District level and culminate in a National History Day event in College Park, Maryland in June of each year. Chapters are also authorized on behalf of the Virginia Society, SAR to make certain awards and recognitions to students at each level of the competition, as noted in the Handbook.
In Virginia, History Day is officially sponsored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and there are 8 separate judging “Districts” which may hold regional competitions, usually in March of each year. Our own District Six is geographically comprised of the following Virginia cities and counties: Accomack, Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, York, Middlesex, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg. It is represented by three VASSAR Chapters: Norfolk, Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg. The State’s “Virginia History Day” competitions are held in or around Williamsburg each year, usually in April.
In 2009, there were 8 members of the Virginia Society which participated in the District Six (and State-level) competitions: 4 from Norfolk, 1 from Thomas Nelson, Jr. and 3 from Williamsburg. For 7 of the participants, it was the first year, and a time to go and just learn how History Day operated. Representing VASSAR and their respective chapters, they served as visitors and judges, but only as SAR-endorsed "sponsors." Compatriot Walt Neville of the Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter, on the other hand, served as an official Judge for the State-wide event as he has done for several years.
For members of the SAR, there are two categories of Judges:
Because some Districts in Virginia either do not participate in the program or do not currently permit SAR members to participate officially, VASSAR Committee Chairman Ben Fegan encourages all chapters to feel free to attend and participate in judging District and State competitions wherever they wish, even if they do not correspond to their Chapters’ own geographic areas. In District Six, however, the division of competitions (district vs. state) makes Chapter staffing and attendance logistically convenient.
Our “District Six” competition is traditionally held in Norfolk, on the eastern side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. It is a perfect venue for members of the Norfolk Chapter to attend. Our State competition is traditionally held in or around Williamsburg, on the western side of the HRBT. Similarly, it is a perfect venue for members of the Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg Chapters to attend.
Therefore, within our own District Six area, it has been suggested that the Norfolk Chapter participate in, assist with, sponsor, judge and make awards for the District-level competition in Norfolk. The Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg Chapters, then, should participate in, assist with, sponsor, judge and make awards for the State-level competition in the Williamsburg area.
Of course, as mentioned above, there are no steadfast rules. Compatriots in any chapter may participate in any District or State-level competition, but a simple framework like this should provide a workable starting point for organizing District Six as a regional program and make it a bit more convenient for our Compatriots.
While Chairman Fegan stresses that 2010 will be a learning year for us all, and we should make recognitions and awards which we feel are appropriate at the Chapter level, it is hoped that next year, all three Chapters may be able to share in the combined recognition efforts, both for the student winners and the Chapters.
The Norfolk Chapter, for example, might wish to provide a Bronze Good Citizenship medal to the winner in each of the Junior and Senior categories in District Six, and pins to winners in each of the 8 judging areas and/or certificates to all who participate in any given year (provided all meet the 1750-1800 period requirement). State-level winners might be considered by Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg for $100 savings bonds (which cost about $25 apiece), and/or medals, certificates, etc., as appropriate; the important point being that all three chapters share in some part of the overall presentation and recognition of the winners.
In 2009, the Williamsburg Chapter presented SAR awards at the official VHD ceremony and invited one of the winners to their own Chapter’s Banquet in order to present the Bronze Good Citizenship medal, which was provided by the Norfolk Chapter. In District Six, we should be able to pick one of our three chapters to make the SAR awards for the entire District, which will come from the three Chapters (perhaps, collectively) themselves.
For the State-level competitions, however, it may be that, one day, we’ll be able to work with all VASSAR chapters to make the SAR presentations at meetings of Chapters which are closest to the State winners’ own homes. (It wouldn’t make sense to ask a student in Roanoke to drive to Newport News in order to receive a VASSAR award.) With that in mind, Chairman Fegan was able to convince VASSAR President Bob Bowen to budget 5 Bronze Good Citizenship medals for that purpose, presumably to recognize as many as 5 category winners whose projects fit both the theme for the year (in 2010, it's “Innovation in History”) and fall into the time period 1750-1800.
For additional information on Virginia History Day's Competition and Program, please visit the state's website at www.history.org .
The pertinent documents, including 2010 Judges Form, guidance, scoring instructions and a final listing of all 2010 District Six entrants are available by clicking on the following links:
Over the past several years, and due in large part to the passionate efforts of our District Five Northern Virginia Compatriots, who worked with their local school systems to assist, judge and sponsor the events, Virginia History Day has become an officially-recognized program of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, with a State Committee Chairman (Ben Fegan, President of the Williamsburg Chapter) and guidance in the VASSAR Handbook.
Chapters which participate may earn streamers and awards for their (combined) efforts, which include such things as providing judges and visitors, making financial contributions and reaching out to local school communities to spread the word about the competitions, which begin at the District level and culminate in a National History Day event in College Park, Maryland in June of each year. Chapters are also authorized on behalf of the Virginia Society, SAR to make certain awards and recognitions to students at each level of the competition, as noted in the Handbook.
In Virginia, History Day is officially sponsored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and there are 8 separate judging “Districts” which may hold regional competitions, usually in March of each year. Our own District Six is geographically comprised of the following Virginia cities and counties: Accomack, Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, York, Middlesex, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg. It is represented by three VASSAR Chapters: Norfolk, Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg. The State’s “Virginia History Day” competitions are held in or around Williamsburg each year, usually in April.
In 2009, there were 8 members of the Virginia Society which participated in the District Six (and State-level) competitions: 4 from Norfolk, 1 from Thomas Nelson, Jr. and 3 from Williamsburg. For 7 of the participants, it was the first year, and a time to go and just learn how History Day operated. Representing VASSAR and their respective chapters, they served as visitors and judges, but only as SAR-endorsed "sponsors." Compatriot Walt Neville of the Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter, on the other hand, served as an official Judge for the State-wide event as he has done for several years.
For members of the SAR, there are two categories of Judges:
Official Judges
For those with general knowledge of or education in American history, and an interest or experience in teaching, etc. You will serve in an official capacity for the District and/or State events to help select “Virginia History Day” winners in one or more of the 8 different judging areas. (In looking through the entrants list for the 2010 District VI competition, posted below, it is possible judges may be needed in advance for scoring of historical papers and websites.)
To apply, simply complete and submit via mail, fax or email a “Judge’s Information Form 2010” (see below) to Matt Hogendobler, VASSAR District Six Facilitator, no later than March 5th for both the March 20th District VI Competition and the April 17th State Competition: 1729-104 Wildwood Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23454; 757-481-1144 (ph); 757-481-9236 (fax). In the event your application is late, please issue it directly to Aaron Wolfe, Coordinator for Virginia History Day, P.O. Box 1776, 301 First Street, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23187; tel. 757-220-7186; fax 757-565-8916.
VASSAR Judges
For those with knowledge of American history from 1750-1800, an interest in the event and/or a desire to learn about or participate in their Chapter’s own program of recognizing students. You may attend the District and/or State events to help select winners in one or more of the 8 different judging areas exclusively for Chapter and Virginia Society recognitions and awards.
To participate in or attend the regional competition, please notify VASSAR District Six Facilitator Matt Hogendobler via fax, phone or email, or simply show up “ready to roll” at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Norfolk at 8:00 am on Saturday, March 20th. The school is located at 1000 Bolling Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia, 23508-1604; tel. 757-440-5500. Directions/Map .
To participate in or attend the state competition, please notify VASSAR District VI Facilitator Matt Hogendobler via fax, phone or email, or simply show up “ready to roll” at Thomas Nelson Community College - Historic Triangle Campus in Williamsburg at 8:00 am on Saturday, April 17th. The school is located at 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188; tel. 757-253-4500. Directions/Map .
Because some Districts in Virginia either do not participate in the program or do not currently permit SAR members to participate officially, VASSAR Committee Chairman Ben Fegan encourages all chapters to feel free to attend and participate in judging District and State competitions wherever they wish, even if they do not correspond to their Chapters’ own geographic areas. In District Six, however, the division of competitions (district vs. state) makes Chapter staffing and attendance logistically convenient.
Our “District Six” competition is traditionally held in Norfolk, on the eastern side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. It is a perfect venue for members of the Norfolk Chapter to attend. Our State competition is traditionally held in or around Williamsburg, on the western side of the HRBT. Similarly, it is a perfect venue for members of the Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg Chapters to attend.
Therefore, within our own District Six area, it has been suggested that the Norfolk Chapter participate in, assist with, sponsor, judge and make awards for the District-level competition in Norfolk. The Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg Chapters, then, should participate in, assist with, sponsor, judge and make awards for the State-level competition in the Williamsburg area.
Of course, as mentioned above, there are no steadfast rules. Compatriots in any chapter may participate in any District or State-level competition, but a simple framework like this should provide a workable starting point for organizing District Six as a regional program and make it a bit more convenient for our Compatriots.
While Chairman Fegan stresses that 2010 will be a learning year for us all, and we should make recognitions and awards which we feel are appropriate at the Chapter level, it is hoped that next year, all three Chapters may be able to share in the combined recognition efforts, both for the student winners and the Chapters.
The Norfolk Chapter, for example, might wish to provide a Bronze Good Citizenship medal to the winner in each of the Junior and Senior categories in District Six, and pins to winners in each of the 8 judging areas and/or certificates to all who participate in any given year (provided all meet the 1750-1800 period requirement). State-level winners might be considered by Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Williamsburg for $100 savings bonds (which cost about $25 apiece), and/or medals, certificates, etc., as appropriate; the important point being that all three chapters share in some part of the overall presentation and recognition of the winners.
In 2009, the Williamsburg Chapter presented SAR awards at the official VHD ceremony and invited one of the winners to their own Chapter’s Banquet in order to present the Bronze Good Citizenship medal, which was provided by the Norfolk Chapter. In District Six, we should be able to pick one of our three chapters to make the SAR awards for the entire District, which will come from the three Chapters (perhaps, collectively) themselves.
For the State-level competitions, however, it may be that, one day, we’ll be able to work with all VASSAR chapters to make the SAR presentations at meetings of Chapters which are closest to the State winners’ own homes. (It wouldn’t make sense to ask a student in Roanoke to drive to Newport News in order to receive a VASSAR award.) With that in mind, Chairman Fegan was able to convince VASSAR President Bob Bowen to budget 5 Bronze Good Citizenship medals for that purpose, presumably to recognize as many as 5 category winners whose projects fit both the theme for the year (in 2010, it's “Innovation in History”) and fall into the time period 1750-1800.
For additional information on Virginia History Day's Competition and Program, please visit the state's website at www.history.org .
The pertinent documents, including 2010 Judges Form, guidance, scoring instructions and a final listing of all 2010 District Six entrants are available by clicking on the following links: