History Day contest this weekend

Eleven West Michigan high schools and middle schools will compete in the Michigan History Day western regional contest, held Saturday, February 22 at Grand Valley State University. Hosted annually by the History Department, this year's event runs from 9 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. at the Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus.

More than 75 students are scheduled to make presentations in one of four categories: paper, exhibits, documentaries, and performances. The last three are divided between individual entries and groups of 2-5 students. This year's theme is 'Rights and Responsibilities in History.'

Judges select the top three entries in each division and category. Finalists will advance to the state contest, held this year at Grand Valley on April 26. Judges include GVSU history professors and alumni as well as local teachers and community historians.