State Contest Special Prizes

History Day medals

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IN INDIANA SPECIAL PRIZES

In 2024, educators whose students win any of the special prizes below will be awarded a $50 prize. Click Here to apply for a special prize at the state contest!

Prizes will be announced to Indiana students and educators at the NHDI State Contest. Participants do not have to place in first, second or third to receive a special prize.

Don’t forget to check out our topic suggestions for each prize, found in the Topic Guide. This is not an exhaustive list; feel free to explore more!

$100 CASH PRIZE

Geeslin Hoosier President Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on America’s Hoosier President, Benjamin Harrison.
Sponsored in honor of retired president and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Phyllis Geeslin, by her friends and admirers

Gene Stratton Porter Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on Indiana environmentalist and author Gene Stratton Porter.
Sponsored by Janet McCabe and Jon Laramore in memory of Evelyn McCabe

$250 CASH PRIZE

Bill Curran Memorial Prize for Irish Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s Irish-American heritage.
Sponsored by Patti Curran

Halter Prize for German Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s German-American heritage.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

Indiana Local History Prize – Youth and Junior Division
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project focused on local Indiana history.
Sponsored by the IHS Local History Services

Indiana Local History Prize – Senior Division
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project focused on local Indiana history.
Sponsored by the IHS Local History Services

Indiana Pioneers Prize for Early Indiana (pre-1840)
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to pre-1840, pioneer-era Indiana.
Sponsored by The Society of Indiana Pioneers

Indiana Women in Politics Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on a female politician or politicians in Indiana.
Sponsored by Kathleen Clark in honor of former Congresswoman Susan Brooks

International History in Indiana Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on an international history topic that has an Indiana connection.
Sponsored anonymously 

Latino or Hispanic History Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on Latino or Hispanic History in Indiana.
Sponsored by Nicole Martinez-LeGrand 

Madam C.J. Walker Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project about Madam C.J. Walker’s time in Indiana.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers in honor of Indiana Living Legend A’Lelia Bundles

Patti Curran Prize for Fashion Design in Indiana
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features an Indiana fashion designer or designers.
Sponsored by Patti Curran

Rogers Prize for French Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s French-American heritage.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

Roy F. Stringer Memorial Prize for Labor Unions in Indiana
Awarded to student or group with an outstanding project that explores the history of Labor Unions in Indiana.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

$500 CASH PRIZE

Ayres Prize for Commerce in Indiana
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of commerce in Indiana.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

Ayres Prize for Indiana Architecture
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of Indiana architecture.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

Ayres Prize for Indiana Transportation
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of transportation in Indiana.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

The Cole Porter Prize for Indiana Musical Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on the life and legacy of Cole Porter.
Sponsored by Steve and Mag Russell

Richard G. Lugar Prize for Documentary Excellence
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding documentary project on Indiana Political History.
Sponsored by Larry S. Landis

$550 CASH PRIZE

William Henry Smith Memorial Library Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that utilizes the collection of the William Henry Smith Memorial Library.
Sponsored by Matthew and Suzanne Hahn

$1000 CASH PRIZE

Indiana Constructors Centennial Crossroads of America Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to Hoosier highways, roads or bridges.
Sponsored by Indiana Constructors

National History Day in Indiana Prize (Wayne County)
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project from Wayne County, Indiana.
Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society

National History Day in Indiana Prize
Awarded to a high school junior or senior student, recognizing the outstanding body of work accomplished across many years of individual or group project participation. Requires separate application.
Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society