Six students successfully competed in the statewide National History Day competition at William Paterson University over the weekend.

Now, the six students – two from the School of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism at Eastside High School and four from the Gifted and Talented Academy at School 28 – will participate in the national finals in Maryland.

Sienna Rojas and Gabriel Torres, both Eastside High School students, entered a project called “The Sacrifice for Civil Rights: A Mother’s Legacy.” Their project was entered in the senior group performance category.

Afsara Ahmed, Jakiah Choudhury, Naima Bari, and Salma Uliah, students at the Gifted and Talented Academy at School 28, created a project called “Between the Walls of Triumph and Tragedy: There Lies a Battle” that won in the junior group exhibit category.

Students had to create projects around the theme of “Triumph & Tragedy in History.”

“These students have really shown what it means to have Paterson Pride in the work that they have done, and in the recognition they have earned,” said superintendent Eileen Shafer in congratulating the youngsters on their National History Day triumphs.

Shafer credited teachers for guiding the students in completing their projects. Teachers Michelle Hamlett and Nina Jones assisted the two Eastside High School students; Lizandaa Alburg assisted the four Gifted and Talented Academy students.

The six students will head to the University of Maryland in College Park to participate in the National History Day national finals from Jun. 9-13.

“I wish our students the best of luck in Maryland next month,” said Shafer,

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