The Los Angeles County Office of Education hosted L.A. County’s youngest historians at San Gabriel High School for History Day L.A. on Saturday, March 2, 2024. This year’s theme for the academic event was “Turning Points in History.” 

Students from elementary to high school showcased their research and presentation skills by creating exhibition boards, podcasts, websites, documentaries, historical papers and performances.

Many families and school community members attended the exhibition portion of the event to learn from the students’ projects. Students proudly shared their topics and findings highlighting that prior to selecting their topic, many of them already had a key interest in their subject choice.

One group of students wanted to conduct research on labor laws’ historical effect involving women and selected covering the radium girls, the workforce that most notably detailed WWI solider watches. Their rotating exhibition display highlighted the detrimental effects radium had on the girls, but the group saw this project as a positive turning point in history because despite how many girls died it resulted in an improvement in employment safety law, medical materials and cancer treatments.

"The power of History Day is the opportunity for students to delve deeply into history to analyze information from multiple perspectives and consider the implications for today’s world. It also offers a number of creative avenues for students, from grades 4 through 12, to demonstrate their acquired knowledge. In other words, it makes history relevant, meaningful, and “come alive!,” said Michelle Herczog, Ed.D., Coordinator III for LACOE’s History-Social Science department.

The event was a success thanks to the many judges that volunteered to evaluate the History Day L.A. projects. There were judges in attendance that have been volunteering for over 20 years and others who were volunteering for the first time. LACOE’s Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services is dedicated to hosting History Day L.A. because they understand that this event empowers students to research, analyze and present historical events and their impact, fostering critical thinking and informed citizenship.

“I joined today as a judge because it's great to see all of the work that the students put out from multiple efforts and guidance such as having adults that mentor them, believe in them and invest in them. So, to see the end product of that investment and empowerment of our youth, its critical to continue to cheer them on in their academic journey,” commented one judge.

The event closed with an awards ceremony where students were celebrated for their high marks within their respective categories.

Winning students will compete at the state competition, April 19-21 at California State University, Sacramento. Winners from the state competition will move on to the national competition this June.