Bigfork High School

Social Studies

Welcome to Bigfork High School Social Studies Department

The Bigfork High School National History Day (NHD) Team impressed at Nationals

 

After competing at regional and state competitions with entries illustrating this year’s theme “Rights and Responsibilities in History”, our National History Day students traveled to Washington D.C in June 2025 to compete at Nationals at University of Maryland. Here, our students competed against contenders from all 50 states as well as entries from countries like China, South Korea and Thailand. Each project features original research presented in a creative format so the competition is fierce. Our students represented Bigfork Schools and Montana with intelligence, originality, poise, and professionalism, and it was noted at the national level.

Original research, challenging work, and fierce competition

The National History Day categories are Exhibit, Paper, Website, Documentary, and Performance. Every regional contest sends its top two contenders for said categories to compete against each other in a flight of ten projects, with each flight picking their 1st place winner who goes on to compete in the Top 10 for Best in the Nation. The majority of the Top 10 contenders in their categories have been competing for years as some states/school districts require National History Day Curriculum to be taught from 6th grade through 12th grade and also have more resources to devote to this program.

An unprecedented feat by a first-year entry

In our first year competing at NHD Nationals, Bigfork High School impressed: Three of our six projects scored in the Top 3 of their flights. Out of those three, two of our projects placed 2nd in their flights. Amanda Leonard’s piece placed 3rd in Individual Exhibit; Lily Hill, Taylor Howlett, and Emma Knauth placed 2nd in Group Exhibit; and Madi Pomeroy and Triston Feller placed 2nd in Group Documentary.
Curiosity, motivation, inspiration, and academic prowess begins in the Kindergarten classroom and continues to grow and refine as students move through the various grade levels. The teachers and staff at Bigfork Schools have truly had an impact on these students to show their “best work” and be their “best selves” at this competition.
A black and white image of two NHD students in front of a window. Through the window a small tower with domed openings can be seen.
Two NHD students and one representative from the NHD competition stand close together in the lobby of the competition venue.
NHD students sit in the bleachers of a big stadium full of people. The students smile while looking back over their shoulders.
Bigfork High School NHD students surround a granite pillar with the Montana inscription at the World War II memorial in Washington D.C.
Four NHD students are standing in front of a display which says Aviation and spaceflight have changed the world.
Two NHD students are standing on the tarmac with trees in the background. One is holding up two tickets and the other is giving a thumbs up.
Bigfork High School students looking at the names displayed on the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
NHD students stand in the sun on a bright green lawn. In the background the U.S. Capitol building can be seen.
NHD students sit in the bleachers of a big stadium. The students smile while looking back over their shoulders.
NHD students sit in the bleachers of a big stadium full of people. The students smile while looking back over their shoulders.
Bigfork NHD students stand in a row in front of a Flathead Valley Community College sign while holding their NHD awards.
A smiling student stand by a table that holds a display with the theme The Makah Whaling Saga - Tradition Under Fire.
Two high school students look at each other in front of a table that holds a display with the theme The Makah Whaling Saga - Tradition Under Fire.
A table holds a display with the theme The Radium Girls - A Workplace Tragedy. Two high school students stand on either side of the table.
A table holds a display with the theme Fighting for Safety: Mining Strike in Butte. Two smiling high school students stand on either side of the table.
A table holds a tall display with the theme The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Two high school students stand on one side of the table, and one student stands on the other side.

Courses

Students are required by the state of Montana to take three years of Social Studies.

10th Grade: World History – Syllabus 2022-2023 | Honors World History – Syllabus 2022-2023
11th Grade: American History 
12th Grade: American Government (Semester 1) – Syllabus 2022-2023
12th Grade: Economics (Semester 2) – Syllabus 2022-2023

Both Ms. Taylor and Ms. Wilondek teach dual-credit classes for Flathead Valley Community College. Ms. Wilondek teaches a four credit class on American History and Ms. Taylor teaches a three credit class on American Government (PSCI 210B).

Social Studies Teachers

Zach Christiansen
HS Social Studies
Stormy Taylor
HS Social Studies
Cynthia Wilondek
HS Social Studies