Each year the National Historical Society sponsors National History Day events for students. The 2019 theme was “Triumph and Tragedy”.  Students enter projects at school or their home-school association. If they win, their project is presented in the district contest. From there winners are invited to bring their projects to the state capital to compete against hundreds of other projects.  First and second place winners in each category travel to Washington DC for the National Historical Society contest.  Over 3,000 students participated this summer at the National contest.

 

As a home schooler, Autumn entered a display telling story of USS Indianapolis CA-35 from her first voyage to the tragedy of the sinking, and of the heroic behavior of the survivors. Autumn also focused on the exoneration of Captain McVay.  Autumns’ display won third in the state Kentucky Historical Society in the display category, qualifying the exhibit as a backup in the national competition if either the first or second place exhibitors in her category were not able to attend.

 

Having followed Autumn for one year as she researched and developed her project, Earl Henry, son of LAS Lt. Cmdr. Earl Henry, secured an invite for Autumn to display her project at the Survivors’ Reunion in July 2019, in Indianapolis. Reunion attendees who know the Indy story well, were very impressed with the thoroughness of Autumn’s research and accuracy.

 

Autumn’s biggest win came when General Goodwin, Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorial (IWM) asked her to display her project in the USS Indianapolis Gallery in the IWM. In September Autumn was met at the IWM by General Goodwin who accepted her Indy Project. So, Autumn has won first place in the hearts of the family and friends of the crew of the USS Indianapolis.

 

For Information on National History Day projects go to www.nhd.org.  The 2020 theme is “Breaking Barriers”.