Olson Middle School student places third in district’s first visit to National History Day competition

Olson Middle School seventh grade student Steven Koutroupas came in third place at the National History Day competition held at the University of Maryland. More than half a million students across the country participate in state level History Day programs and only 2,800 qualify for the national competition. 

Competing students choose a history topic to research and present to a panel of judges in categories like research papers, exhibits, video documentaries, performances or websites.

Koutroupas’s third place finish was in the Junior Individual Website category with his Life is a Highway website, which explains how the interstate highway system transformed everyday life in America.

Olson seventh graders Gabe Desroches and Josiah Brecheisen also competed in nationals in the Junior Group Website category with their Taking Flight website, which describes how aviation changed the world.

Together, the three boys are the first to represent Bloomington Public Schools at the National History Day competition. All three are in the Dimensions Academy program for academically gifted students.