Posted on Friday, April 11, 2025
Photo Credit: Jess Alden
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Leaders whose influence affected societal changes over time will be among the topics of this year’s theme of ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ at National History Day Georgia’s state contest on April 26 at the college.
The competition, which marks the fourth time LC will serve as host, will have 515 middle and high school students. A total of 120 volunteers will be needed to judge the event.
Working either individually or in a group, competitors will present their projects through one of five media: Historical Paper, Exhibit, Performance, Documentary or Website.
Judges from each category advance the top two state entries to the national contest that will be held June 8-12 at the University of Maryland in College Park.
Inspiring future generations
Junior History major Autumn Romine, a three-time veteran at NHD GA, said she likes the mentorship component of judging.
“I enjoy being able to help relieve some nerves that the students may be feeling,” she said. “It's exciting to see them come back the following year once they understand that the work they do matters to us judges.”
Heather Coody, former Social Studies coordinator for Henry County Schools, said the students always step up their projects year after year.
“I've been involved with National History Day Georgia for over a decade, serving as a judge at local, regional and state competitions, and for several years as a regional director,” she said. “What I enjoy most about judging is discovering ‘new to me’ historical topics and perspectives that expand my own knowledge. I love the opportunity to engage with student scholars who, through their research, become my teachers.”
Archival consultant Kaye Minchew, who first judged the West Georgia Regional contest in 1983, said this competition makes students active participants in preserving records.
“History helps students be better prepared for the future,” she said. “By researching and then writing papers or doing creative projects, middle and high school students start to analyze and better understand the past.”
Longtime judge Jonathan Merrill, AP U.S. History and AP African American Studies teacher at Howard High School in Macon, Georgia, said he has brought his students to National History Day for the past 13 years.
“I teach my students to relate our nation’s history to their own families,” he said. “Members of our families often make good or bad decisions without any regard for the intentional (or unintentional) consequences that may arise. Their dedication to their family’s well-being will inspire them to also become effective and loyal citizens.”
Haley Merciers, a former Troup County Archives staff member who has been judging NHD GA contests since 2017, said she enjoys seeing the students’ passion for their chosen topics.
“I love that they can find something in history to take an interest in—whether it’s battle techniques, pop culture, industrial technology, etc.,” she said. “There’s something for everyone.”
Lasting legacy
In the midst of this year’s competition, the National History Day organization, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, risks closure after the federal government ended funding last week for the National Endowment for the Humanities, a provider of grants for Georgia Humanities, a longtime sponsor of NHD GA and LC’s partner for nearly two decades.
“Those grants allow Georgia’s NEH affiliate agency to do 90% of its work across the state, including National History Day,” said Dr. Kevin Shirley, History Professor and National History Day Georgia Co-Affiliate Coordinator.
With the future of National History Day uncertain, he emphasized the importance of this program.
“When students invest in their projects, they not only develop skills, but also accomplish things they never have before—whether it be maneuvering through GALILEO, producing a film or standing before a group of judges and answering questions,” he said. “NHD ultimately helps them believe that they ‘can do it.’ That’s the inherent power of NHD.”
People interested in serving as a volunteer judge for the state contest can register on the NHD GA website.
Easter Basket Build
Tuesday, April 15
11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Career Assessment
Tuesday, April 15
3 p.m., Bailey Room
Baseball
The Panthers finished 1-2 in their home series against Belhaven, which included Alumni Day, last weekend. The team returned home after an unsuccessful road trip on Tuesday, April 8, which saw a tough 11-6 loss to Oglethorpe (16-12) who mounted a six-run comeback to steal the victory from LC in come-from-behind fashion. LaGrange hits the road this weekend as they face off with Piedmont. First pitch for Friday's contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Piedmont’s Loudermilk Field.
Softball
LC split its doubleheader series against Maryville on Friday, April 4. Ninth-ranked Huntingdon swept a Collegiate Conference of the South doubleheader from LaGrange on Tuesday, April 8, at home. The Hawks (26-3, 9-1 CCS) won the first game 11-0 in five innings, then held off the Panthers' (13-17, 3-5 CCS) rally to take game two 5-3. The Panthers host Agnes Scott and Piedmont this weekend. Both doubleheaders begin at noon. It will be Senior Day on Saturday, April 12 (tomorrow), against Agnes Scott.
Men’s Golf
The Panthers finished in 18th place April 7-8 at the Capitol City Classic. The tournament, hosted by Huntingdon, was played at the Senator Course at the Capitol Hill Club, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. LaGrange will head up to the Atlanta area on Easter Weekend, playing in the Discover Dekalb Emory Invitational. The tournament will be held at Cherokee Run Golf Club in Conyers, Georgia, April 19-20. The tournament will be hosted by Emory.
Lacrosse
It was an unsuccessful road trip for LC as it fell to Greensboro on Saturday, April 5, in a tough USA South Conference matchup. Greensboro had twenty-nine shots on goal to the Panthers’ 17. The Pride also had sixteen more ground balls. The Panthers head back home for their Senior Day game against Southern Virginia on Saturday, April 12 (tomorrow). Faceoff is scheduled for noon.
Beach Volleyball
The Panthers hosted their Senior Day this past weekend, taking on Huntingdon who was able to steal both matches away from LC in respective 4-1 finals. They cap off the regular season this weekend as they head to Mount Berry, Georgia, to compete in the Briggs Beach Bash hosted by Berry College.
Tennis
The Women’s team took a 7-0 loss and the Men’s team took a 6-1 loss in their matches at Maryville last weekend. On Tuesday, both teams dropped their matches at Huntingdon. The Women’s team fell to Agnes Scott at home on Thursday. The Men’s team will take on Piedmont and UC-Santa Cruz on Friday, April 11 (today). Both teams will play Belhaven and Piedmont at home this weekend.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 11 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 10:30 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, April 11 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. University of California Santa Cruz, 5 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, April 11 – Baseball at Piedmont, 6 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Saturday, April 12 – Beach Volleyball at Berry, 8:30 a.m., Rome, Georgia
Saturday, April 12 – Softball (Home) vs. Agnes Scott, noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Saturday, April 12 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. Southern Virginia, noon, Callaway Stadium
Saturday, April 12 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Belhaven, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 12 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Belhaven, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 12 – Baseball at Piedmont, 3 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Sunday, April 13 – Softball (Home) vs. Piedmont, noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Sunday, April 13 – Baseball at Piedmont, 1 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Sunday, April 13 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Monday, April 14 – Men’s Tennis vs. East Texas Baptist University (@Berry), 10 a.m., Rome, Georgia
Wednesday, April 16 – Men’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama Community College, 1 p.m., Bay Minette, Alabama
Wednesday, April 16 – Women’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama Community, 1 p.m., Bay Minette, Alabama
Thursday, April 17 – Baseball at Maryville, 7 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Steven Kenner talks taking over as the head coach of women’s basketball at LaGrange College, LaGrange Daily News, April 9
LaGrange College Theatre to perform “Eurydice,” LaGrange Daily News, April 9
Category: Academics, Events, College
Keywords: History, Education
