Alabama students showcase National History Day projects in Washington

by Kalyn Dunkins

Zamorie Gipson, ZoRiyah Ray and Sha’Hollene Smith, from Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama, worked on a group project about the “Little Rock Nine.” They got to showcase their project at the Smithsonian museum of natural history in June 2023 as part of a National History Day program. (Photo: Phillip Jordan)

Dinosaur bones aren’t the only historical attraction that brought visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History this summer.

Four Alabama students participated in a live showcase of their Alabama History Day projects for National History Day at the Smithsonian in June. One student, Ddwayne James-Lockett, worked on an individual documentary and represented Murphy High School in Mobile. Three other students, Zamorie Gipson, ZoRiyah Ray and Sha’Hollene Smith, worked on a group project and represented Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook.

“Research helps you better connect to the world and your community,” Idrissa Snider, the program coordinator for Alabama History Day said. “It helps you learn more about yourself. When our students have these ‘aha’ moments, they’re building their confidence as learners, too.”

Alabama History Day is a statewide contest organized annually by the Alabama Humanities Alliance. The program gives students a chance to learn how to do primary research and to express their findings creatively. Each student selects a history topic of their choice and then presents what they learn as an artistic exhibit, a dramatic performance, an original paper, a website or a documentary. The theme for 2023 was “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.”

Nearly 200 students from across Alabama gathered at Auburn University in Montgomery to compete. From there, more than 40 participating students won first- or second-place honors in their category to qualify for National History Day. A total of 27 Alabama students and educators traveled to Maryland and Washington, D.C. to compete.

James-Lockett’s documentary showcase, titled How Did Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Help The Future of Mobile, Alabama, touches on 1943 anti-Black rioting in Mobile. He said he set his intention on doing something centered on his hometown.

“I felt as if I’ve lived here my entire life, [but] there are many things I didn’t know about the history,” James-Lockett said.

James-Lockett is a senior at Murphy. His favorite part of the experience was being around students his age and being in an environment with other creative minds telling the history behind something they are passionate about.

“Always take advantage of the opportunities you have. What started off as something being just a grade turned into an experience of me being able to travel somewhere besides the South,” said James-Lockett. “If you are good at something, in my case, video editing and putting things within a video, take that talent and put it towards doing something with it.”

Alabama’s contingent during the National History Day parade of states. (Photo: Phillip Jordan)

James-Lockett’s teacher, Sarah Woltring, sponsored his trip.

“Participation in National History Day is a required component of my 11th grade curriculum,” said Woltring. “It is awesome when a student is interested and passionate about a topic and that interest is able to translate into an amazing project. Ddwayne is an outstanding student and wonderful person, and should be very proud of his work and accomplishments!”

Gipson, Ray and Smith, each a senior at Stanhope Elmore, collaborated on an exhibit that centered the history of nine students who integrated Little Rock High School in Arkansas in 1957. Their exhibit was titled, “The Little Rock Nine: Frontier in History.”

Kathy Paschal was the group’s sponsoring teacher.

“The girls were so surprised to be nominated and they considered it to be a great honor,” Paschal said. “They even got a chance to meet and speak to Carlotta Walls Lanier, the youngest of the Little Rock Nine.”

The trio say they were intrigued to do this project because of their passion for reminding people of the struggles Black people in America went through. They were filled with curiosity and excitement to connect with other student historians around the country as soon as they stepped foot in D.C.

“What inspired me to do this project was my grandfather,” said Smith. “He often mentioned stories of his experiences with slavery and segregation. He passed away when I was thirteen. One of the last memories I have with him is watching a documentary on the Little Rock Nine. That stuck with me.”

Smith says although their group didn’t win a national title, her greatest takeaway was realizing that there was more for her than just this event.

Gipson said the research and knowledge she gained about Black history encouraged her to continue to be herself in order to make a difference. She doesn’t allow her skin color to make her feel like she can’t accomplish her goals, she said.

This story was originally written and published for AL.com.