Building Future Leaders Through Research and Advocacy at Browne Academy

Three years ago, Mrs. Kharkar introduced the National History Day (NHD) Contest at Browne Academy as part of a larger effort to deepen students’ research, analysis, and critical thinking skills. The goal was to better prepare students for the demands of future academic work, including their capstone projects, by teaching them how to ask important questions, evaluate credible sources, and communicate their findings clearly and effectively. Since then, Browne students have excelled year after year, earning first-place awards in group exhibits and strong performances across multiple categories.

This year, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, nine Browne Academy students competed at the state level of the National History Day competition in Richmond. Centered on the theme “Rights and Responsibilities,” students explored times in history when rights were denied and the individuals and organizations that fought back to correct those injustices. Our seventh graders made an incredible showing, placing third in Group Exhibits and fourth in Group Performances across all of Virginia.

S. Grey, L. Kharkar, K. Lucas, and C. March placed third for their exhibit on Title IX, which highlighted the struggles women faced in gaining equal access to education and athletics, and the lasting impact of Title IX protections today. Their project also earned the Special Award for Sports History. L. Browder, J. Ford, C. Hall, J. Lipner, and C. Marshall placed fourth with a performance focused on the 1964 Freedom Summer voter registration efforts by CORE and SNCC students in Mississippi, illustrating the planning, risks, and determination involved. Both groups impressed the judges with the strength of their research, historical understanding, and passionate presentations.

Adding to this year’s celebration, Mrs. Kharkar was honored with the District 5 “Teacher of the Year” award, a recognition of her outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact in guiding students to excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

Building on the strong foundation laid in seventh grade, Browne Academy continues to expand students’ research and advocacy skills into eighth grade through the C-SPAN StudentCam competition. Originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as an independent project, StudentCam has evolved into a formal elective course that ties directly to the eighth-grade curriculum. Each year, C-SPAN selects a central theme related to government and civic responsibility, and students choose an issue to explore through a documentary project.

The StudentCam experience challenges students to take their research a step further — interviewing public figures, connecting with their communities, and advocating for policies that protect and uplift the voices of others. Students begin their work the summer before eighth grade, giving them time to dig deeply into their topics and make meaningful connections between what they are learning and the real world.

Through National History Day and StudentCam, Browne Academy students are not only mastering the art of research — they are becoming the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers. At Browne Academy, we believe that building academic excellence and civic responsibility go hand in hand — and our students are leading the way.