Andersen Middle School embraces National History Day

GUAM – Andersen Middle School has participated in the National History Day project for 22 years.

This year 40 Andersen Middle School scholars entered Guam’s National History Day contest, with four students placing in their entry categories. Mr. Brian Palaganas also received an unexpected award, learning he has been named a finalist for the 2024 Patricia Behring National History Day Teacher of the Year award.

For the past 22 years, Mr. Palaganas has worked alongside his AMS colleagues to help recruit, mentor and coach students through the rigorous National History Day competition.

“The program provides students the chance to expand their scope of learning and discovery through inquiry and research,” Mr. Palaganas said. “Above all, it offers them empowerment and relevancy to what they’re learning. I’m very thankful and humbled by the whole process as it truly transforms a student’s approach to learning.”

Andersen Middle School students earned the following awards:

• 1st Place for Individual Exhibit Board: Crisnan Katrielle Agulto, 8th grade, “Taotaomo’nas”
• 2nd Place for Group Exhibit Board: Paisley Burgess, 7th grade, and Willow Calvo, 7th grade, “Chamorro Life: From Occupation to Liberation”
• 3rd Place for Individual Website: Penny Cuaresma, 6th grade, “Super Typhoon Pamela”

“It was really wonderful to see that the students’ hard work not only got the recognition at the school level, but also at the island-wide level,” said AMS National History Day Co-Coordinator, Dr. Jeffrey R. Niemi. “I’m very proud of them.”

Guam’s National History Day affiliate, the Micronesian Area Research Center of the University of Guam, selected Mr. Palaganas as the region’s middle school teacher finalist because of his commitment to engaging students in historical learning and thinking practices. Mr. Palaganas is one of 102 teachers nominated from U.S. schools and international schools in Europe and Asia. According to the National History Day website, each nominee is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest. All nominees receive $500.

AMS National History Day Co-Coordinator Dr. Jeffrey R. Niemi said, “it was really wonderful to see that the students’ hard work not only got the recognition at the school level, but also at the island-wide level. I’m very proud of them.”