Wheatland Middle School Students Win Special Award at National History Day

Students Emma Crowley, Jaylen Kaufman and Drew McDaniel, from Wheatland Middle School, won the White House History Special Award at the 2025 National History Day competition for their project titled “Power, Politics and the Press: Eleanor Roosevelt and Nancy Reagan Making Headlines.”

Their teacher is Mary Jo Birt. National History Day activities took place June 8-12 at the University of Maryland-College Park, just 12 miles from Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the White House Historical Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion, this prize is awarded to an outstanding project in both the junior and senior divisions that documents and analyzes White House history through such subjects as individual presidents, first ladies, residence staff, White House art and architecture, or important events that took place in the White House.

The state competition for Wyoming History Day is administered by the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center and hosted at the university. First- and second-place winners in each category are eligible to compete at the National History Day competition and visit the nation’s capital each year. More than 50 students from across Wyoming participated in National History Day this year.

“The American Heritage Center and the University of Wyoming are so pleased that the Wheatland Middle School team for National History Day won the White House History Special Award,” says Paul Flesher, the AHC’s director. “The three students spent months preparing their entry and then did excellent presentations at the Wyoming state finals and then at nationals. The sponsor of the award, the White House Historical Association, is one of the best of nonprofit groups in the capital, bringing together official Washington, educational outreach and just plain fun.”

For more information about Wyoming History Day, email Bryce Mittelstadt at whd@uwyo.edu.