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As students and teachers across the state adapted to a new normal and had to adjust to a variety of both work and learning changes, the N.C. Museum of History continued to recognize its Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) award winners.

North Davie Middle School students were among the winners.

These awards recognize junior historians for outstanding projects submitted in THJHA contests, which encourage students to research the historical significance of people, places, and events in their own communities.

All winning projects are showcased in the exhibit History in Every Direction: Tar Heel Junior Historian Association Discovery Gallery, now open to museum visitors.

“We were thrilled to have so many clubs participate in our contests and convention this school year,” said Jessica Pratt, THJHA program coordinator. “We are very proud of the students and their club leaders as they adapted their meetings and projects so they could continue their work exploring state and local history.”

Authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1953, the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association is sponsored by the N.C. Museum of History, part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The association is made up of a network of free clubs across the state, with members in grades 4–12. Each club must have at least one adult adviser.

Clubs may be sponsored by public, private, or home schools, or by other organizations such as museums and historical societies, 4-H groups, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts. Clubs can be any size, from one student and one adviser to hundreds of students and several advisers. Clubs must renew their membership each school year, using an online application at tarheeljuniorhistorians.org.

Awards are given for outstanding THJHA chapters and advisers, as well as student projects. Categories of competition include media projects, art projects, literary projects and essays, an artifact search, photography projects, and a state history quiz.

Projects encourage students to understand and appreciate our state’s heritage. Groups as well as individuals received awards.

Chapter of the Year

The 2021 Chapter of the Year Award goes to North Davie Junior Historians from North Davie Middle School in Mocksville.

This club is incredibly organized, with a constitution, officers, and minutes from each meeting. The students worked on a variety of projects over the year, including learning citations, participating in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, supporting their community through a Christmas Angels initiative, and researching for THJHA contests.

Cayden Kennedy of the North Davie Junior Historians won second place in the intermediate division for his individual Creative Writing entry Cody and Caleb Martin, and the entry also won the special Sports History Award, sponsored by the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.