RADFORD – A group of students from Radford High School recently presented at Virginia History Day, with one group taking home a third place in the state finish.
And their teacher won a teaching excellence award as well.
The Brenton S. Halsey Teaching Excellence Award was awarded to RHS history teacher John Ferguson. The award is presented to one teacher who takes part in Virginia History Day program who “demonstrates an understanding of history and enthusiasm for the subject, fosters a spirit of inquiry and the development of critical thinking skills among students, uses and promotes innovative and creative teaching techniques and materials, and provides leadership in the field of history education,” according to the award description.
Teachers were nominated for the $500 prize by their Virginia History Day District coordinators.
The event was held April 26 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. Nine RHS students competed in the History Day State Competition at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond.
“We are proud of the research conducted by and presentations given by our students,” said Furgeson.
Students Lily, Lillian, Olivia, Evie and Kennedy placed third in the Group Exhibit Category. Their project was on the women’s suffrage movement. Evelyn, Lauren and Emma presented on the Kennedy/Nixon election of 1960 and how it changed American elections. Mickey presented on the USO’s Impact on World War II.
Virginia History Day 2026, part of the National History Day program for grades 4-12, centered on the theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History”.
Staff report
