SNYDER, TX — Twenty-five Snyder Junior High students competed in the National History Day regional competition in Odessa, earning multiple top finishes and five State Qualifiers. The state competition will be held on April 11 at the University of Texas at Austin.
National History Day is a rigorous academic program that challenges students to conduct in-depth historical research, analyze primary and secondary sources, and present original projects before a panel of judges. Students compete in categories such as papers, exhibits, documentaries, and performances.
Snyder Junior High students earned the following State honors:
Individual Paper – 1st Place, State Qualifier
Logan Michael
How British Law Inspired American Colonists to Revolt Against British Rule
Individual Exhibit – 1st Place, State Qualifier
Knox Morris
Turning the Tide: D-Day as Allied Reaction to the Nazi Invasion
Individual Exhibit – 2nd Place, State Qualifier
Karsten McCormick
Operation Overlord: The Allied Reply to Hitler’s France
Individual Documentary – 2nd Place, State Qualifier
Josue Rubio Benitez
Driving Progress: Henry Ford’s Assembly Line Legacy
Individual Performance – 1st Place, State Qualifier
Motley Moore
Revolt and Reckoning: The Nat Turner Uprising
Several additional projects advanced to the final round in one of the competition’s most competitive categories.
Group Exhibits – Final Round Advancers
Journey Burns and Sara Gregory
Brantley McKay and Scarlett Jackson
Leonela Martinez, Camila Martinez, and Daniela Cabrera
Individual Exhibits – Final Round Advancers
Joshelyn Rios
Knox Morris
Guillermo Heredia
Chyleigh Key
Karsten McCormick
Group Documentary – 3rd Place, State Alternate
Zander Arnwine and Caleb Hermosillo
All Snyder Junior High participants included:
Erin Jaimes, Mason Rauch, A’aleyah Collins, Leonela Martinez, Camila Martinez, Daniela Cabrera, Karsten McCormick, Mia Rivera, Cambry Crow, Joshua Sandoval, Josue Rubio Benitez, Brantley McKay, Scarlett Jackson, Zander Arnwine, Caleb Hermosillo, Guillermo Heredia, Harper Grandos, Zo’Rihanna Bass, Logan Michael, Chyleigh Key, Journey Burns, Sara Gregory, Motley Moore, Joshelyn Rios, and Knox Morris.
National History Day was brought to Snyder Junior High by Mrs. McCormick, a seventh-grade English teacher who is passionate about the academic opportunities the contest provides. She believes the program strengthens research, writing, and critical thinking skills while giving students a platform to present their work with confidence. Mrs. Garza and Mr. Moore also provided mentorship and support throughout the research and preparation process.
The district congratulates all 25 students who represented Snyder Junior High and Snyder ISD at the regional competition and wishes its State Qualifiers success in Austin.