ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Department of Defense Dependents Schools Europe students from across the U.K. participated in the National History Day contest hosted by Lakenheath High School on April 3, 2012.

National History Day is a national academic program for students in grades 6 through 12.

Students select a historical topic and create exhibits, websites, documentaries, performances and research papers related to a theme. This year's theme was revolution, reaction and reform in history, in which students submitted 75 entries.

"Student involvement in history is important because it helps them understand the past and how it impacts their lives today," said Juliet Ramos, DoDDS Europe secondary social studies specialist.

The contest hosted 110 students in the LHS gym, including students from Alconbury Middle and High school, Lakenheath High School, Lakenheath Middle School and Liberty Intermediate School.

According to Romos the contest promotes reading, writing, research skills and building connections with fellow students interested in history.

This was the first time that U.K. DoDDS-E schools came together in one place for the National History Day contest.

"The students were thrilled to have a district level competition and the chance to display their projects to a wider selection of judges and audience because they've been limited to only school level competitions the last two years," Ramos added.

Previously students were required to send in their project on a DVD as travel was not funded. This year's event is different because students could participate in person no matter where in the district they were located.

"My favorite part of the event is that I can see these different projects, interact with students from other schools and learn history together," said Henry Yocum, Alconbury middle school student.

Students were graded on historical quality, clarity of presentation and adherence to the theme.

"This is a good way for students to actually go into history and present it in a creative way that we like and a great opportunity to compete with other schools, which made it more diverse," said Dominee Roehm, LHS student.