Hewlett-Woodmere students succeed at state, national level history fairs

The annual National History Fair competition for students in grades six and above compete through to nationals in Washington D.C. Students choose a topic that goes with the year’s theme, and research the topic in depth to create a project. The challenge begins with regionals at Hofstra University, Cooperstown for the states, then the nationals at the University of Maryland in College Park. 

After seeing their older sister, Alexandra Heyman, who graduated this past June from Hewlett High School, compete in sixth grade, siblings Madeline and Michael Heyman were inspired. They joined their friends, who they now call partners, Madison, Sydney, and Harley Honig to compete. All five students attend school in the Hewlett-Woodmere district, Madeline and Madison are Hewlett High juniors, Michael and Sydney are freshmen, and Harley is now an eighth-grader. 

The students are split into two divisions based on age; Madison and Madeline compete together in the senior group division, and Michael, Sydney and Harley are in the junior group division. Both groups work very well together and the children even said that “we complement each other in a positive way.” 

Madeline Heyman said that the Honig and Heyman children are immensely appreciative of this opportunity, “to fully research, analyze and dive into a topic that fits the year’s theme.” Some of the fair’s past themes are Breaking Barriers in History, Triumph and Tragedy in History and Conflict and Compromise in History.

Dedicated to making this competition a priority in their lives, and showing others how rewarding competing in this competition could be, the Honig and Heyman children began receiving praise, and the school district made it mandatory to compete in the National History Fair in eighth grade for all students. 

Madeline, Madison, Michael, Sydney and Harley are extremely dedicated to making each year’s project better than the next. No matter their past successes, they strive to go bigger and better to succeed. They miss family events, plans with friends, and extracurricular activities to complete their projects. Madison Honig said that they “concentrate and put the extraordinary time and effort needed to be successful at this competition”. 

Because of their success — first place in the state History Fair, fifth place in the country and awarded the medal for Outstanding Entry this year and previous awards — they want to continue, and push through for as long as they are eligible to compete, they said. 

Although they feel appreciative for all their achievements, Sydney Honig said: “There is a lot of pressure [and] we keep hearing that everyone’s eyes are on us.” Nevertheless, the Honig and Heyman children look forward to competing in National History Day each year. The ability to battle each year is the ultimate excitement for the children. 

Michael Heyman said that to be able to “meet and compete against the best of the best from 50 states and even American abroad schools in China, Singapore, Guam, and Puerto Rico,” has been a true gift for these local heroes. Harley Honig said that they have “already started to research topics for the 2021 category” and are “very excited to see what is ahead.”