Niles North High School wins School of the Year Award during annual Illinois History Expo

SPRINGFIELD - Niles North High School in Skokie was named National History Day Illinois School of the Year during the annual Illinois History Expo held May 3 in Springfield.

 

            "The Niles North program is an example of what studying Illinois history should be like, motivating students in ways that profoundly affect their lives, and encouraging them to discover their precious heritage," said Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) Director Robert Coomer.  The Agency sponsors Expo in cooperation with the Chicago Metro History Education Center.

 

            For more than a decade, Niles North High School history and American Studies teachers have enthusiastically offered History Fair participation to their students.  All students use the National History Day theme as the foundation for their projects, and are encouraged to do serious scholarship and have fun and be creative while making their final products.  In addition, Niles North has hosted the Suburban Regional History Fair for seven years and is committed to continuing that role in the future.  Niles North teacher Barbara Buzan, who will retire this year, has guided the school's participation in the History Fair program.        

 

            More than 1,400 junior and senior high school students from across the state participated in the May 3 Expo.  The students were winners selected during regional history fairs held earlier this year.