Starting Connecticut History Day off on the Right Foot! Part 1

Sharon Wlodarczyk, Connecticut History Day Students, and State Coordinator Rebecca Taber-Conover

Welcome to Connecticut History Day 2016-17! My name is Sharon Wlodarczyk and I am the National History Day advisor for Region 15 School District, serving Southbury and Middlebury, CT.  I run the NHD program in both of our district middle schools, Memorial Middle School and Rochambeau Middle School, as well as, Pomperaug High School.  I was first introduced to National History Day through my daughters in 2001.  They participated for the first time as seventh graders and continued all the way through high school. Both girls had an amazing experience with National History Day.  As a parent I watched them grow academically, as well as socially. They developed self-confidence, global awareness, and interests that have resulted in their personal successes in their chosen careers. My oldest daughter is working in California as a film editor and my younger daughter is a law clerk in Saint Thomas.  During their freshman and sophomore years of high school, the girls teamed up to create an NHD documentary on Eleanor Roosevelt.  During that year, I noticed the sparks igniting that lead both of them to their chosen careers. I had already witnessed the impact of NHD on their high school academics, but it was at this point that the lifetime impact of NHD was becoming apparent.  In 2003, I was hired by Region 15 to work in the Rochambeau Media Center, with the understanding that I would continue the NHD program at Rochambeau, taking over for my predecessor who had retired the year before.

My passion and enthusiasm for NHD has only grown over the years of my involvement. I have experienced NHD as a parent, educator, Albert H. Small Normandy Scholar, and now in my new position, I am honored to be a Patricia Behring National Ambassador for 2016 -17. I hope to be able to pass along my love for this program to you in the coming year.   It is worth all of the effort you will put into your students and the program!

​Throughout the year I will be posting a monthly blog to help support our Connecticut History Day teachers.  I will use the blog to distribute new information from the national office, classroom aides, and to share information that I find to be helpful with my own students.  It is my goal to assist you in any way that I can, throughout the process, all the way to the national contest in June!   I have witnessed the remarkable results of what happens when NHD gets into your blood! I hope you will have the same positive experiences that I have had over the years!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  My email is: swlodarczyk@region15.org.

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Sharon's daughters Kathryn and Carolyn after winning the Best in State Award at the National Contest, 2005 for their documentary about Eleanor Roosevelt