Fort Myers High School students take second place in National History Day competition

Earlier this summer, the story was brought to life by a group of Southwest Florida students who won major honors in the National History Day competition.

Four Fort Myers High School students were among a group of middle and high school students from all 50 states and several international schools who met at the University of Maryland in June for the annual event.

To participate in the event, students select a historical moment and create a research project that can take the form of documentaries, exhibitions, essays, websites or performances.

Fort Myers High School students – Benjamin O’Brien, Shawnak Shenoy, Luke Scrabis and Shenard Williams – impressed the judges and took second place nationally with a performance on the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power to levy and collect taxes.

Williams says the amendment fits perfectly with the contest’s theme: “Turning Points in History.”

“I think the biggest impact of the 16th Amendment … is that it shows how government can affect the lives of citizens, for better or for worse. For example, governments often create new programs like Social Security and create a new regulatory agency like the EPA,” Williams said.

O’Brien added that the 16th Amendment changed the way people think about government.

“The state of taxation and what we should do with government money and what role government plays in today’s society is almost the only thing that’s still being argued about. It used to be that people focused on the local congressman or the state congressman or the governor or the mayor,” he said. “But today we think that because of the 16th Amendment, everyone is focused on all these national (races).”

The group came up with the project idea when O’Brien was writing a history paper on the New Deal.

“I came across the 16th Amendment quite by accident because it played a big role in the way the tax system worked in the New Deal. And back then, it was much more than just a tax. It completely changed the role of the federal government in everyone’s lives,” O’Brien said.

The group had not expected to come second, as they were so impressed by their competitors that a group from Korea also realized a moving project about the abuse of “comfort women” in the 1930s.

“Everyone there was super prepared. I was totally surprised. Of course I was really happy when we were announced, but I was just in a state of shock,” said Shenoy.

O’Brian added: “We were all so excited. It was just an unforgettable moment for all of us.”

As part of the competition, the students toured the University of Maryland and even lived in the student dormitories.

Shenoy loved the campus experience.

“I thought the campus was beautiful. I haven’t been to many colleges, so I found it very refreshing to experience a very active student life and such a large campus with so many recreational opportunities.”

“We always go to FSU or UF, the colleges that are very close, but we never go to a place on the other side of the country. So it’s definitely different. Yeah, and there were hills, so that was a change,” Scrabis said.

In their free time between competition rounds and while rehearsing their performance, they also visited Washington, D.C. There they visited the National Archives and the Capitol and toured Georgetown University, as some members of the group are interested in studying law.

National History Day Executive Director Dr Cathy Gorn said the skills the students used in their research and projects would serve them well in their future careers and lives.

“They have demonstrated an incredible level of critical thinking, analysis and research skills that will serve them well after they participate in the NHD. I am proud of the students’ achievements in this competition year and look forward to seeing how they apply the skills they developed during their research,” said Gorn.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service and your support is more important than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.