Aldine ISD Student Receives Award at National History Day 2017 Competition in Maryland

Each year, the national level contest sees nearly 3,000 students from around the world.

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[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]C[/dropcap]arolina Chala from Nimitz High School earned some bragging rights. Carolina received an award at the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]National History Day 2017 competition. The event took place at the University of Maryland.

National History Day judges awarded Carolina with the Senior Division Outstanding State Entry Award for her Individual Exhibit titled “A Stand in the Borderlands.” She won fifth place in her division making her a finalist.

Her project centered on the El Paso Salt War of 1877. It was a stand against Anglo businessmen who attempted to impose a tax on a precious resource: salt. The local Mexican community took a stand to protect their livelihood and way of life. The El Paso Salt War was not merely a stand over the control of the salt flats. It was more than this. This was an economic, social, and political struggle for the Mexican-American border communities. It exemplified how local populations attempted to take a stand against their own exploitation. This led to the first and only surrender of the Texas Rangers. And the result was the permanent establishment of Fort Bliss.

Barbi Petty Binnig couldn’t be happier. She is Carolina’s teacher.

“I‘ve have worked with Carolina in National History Day since she was a freshman,” said Binnig. “Every year she would advance to the state contest but always fell short of making it to Nationals. Carolina never gave up on her goal of advancing to Nationals and her senior year she achieved that goal. She set an example for her classmates that hard work will get you where you want to go.”

Carolina is grateful for the NHD experience. She praises the benefits of taking part in the program.

“National History Day has been one of the most beneficial events that I was able to attend. I learned new things and met amazing people. I got to work on and improve my social and speaking skills as well as my writing skills. These are all things that I will get to take with me as I go to college. I will never forget my experience in History Fair. I loved it all and am so fortunate to have competed at the National History Day competition.”

Congratulations!