WEST MILFORD — Several members of the West Milford High School and Macopin Middle School History Club participated in the regional National History Day (NHD) Competition in South Orange at Seton Hall University on March 12, with senior Andrea Hilario moving on to the state competition.
The theme this year was Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange in History. Participants created research-based projects for the competition.
Andrea was the only competitor from West Milford to move on to the state competition which will be held this month at William Paterson University.
As a state finalist, Andrea became a blue ribbon recipient for her second year in a row. Her exhibit on the American Flapper caught the attention of many spectators at the competition and certainly caught the attention of the judges.
“Most students are inclined to do projects on the exploration of land, space, medicine, and trade,” said Andrea. “I feel the main reason I was able to move on to states was because I took the risk to come up with an idea that transcended the traditional way of thought; I approached this year’s theme with a vision of the exploration of self, as seen through the sociocultural characteristics of early 20th-century America.”
Andrea credits much of her success to her club advisor, Kathleen McCort, and to History Department Supervisor Dr. Greg Matlosz, who have encouraged and supported her academic endeavors for the past two years. Andrea continues to soar to new heights as she finishes up her last year of high school and was recently offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for the graduating class of 2020.
“Every day I strive for the results I personally wish to see, just like I did with the NHD competition," she said. "I never settle to do things the easy way, but I can tell you this, success is sweet, sweeter if long delayed and attained through manifold struggles and defeats.”
National History Day is a non-profit education organization in College Park, Maryland. It offers year-long academic programs that engage middle and high school students worldwide in conducting original research on historical topics.