SC Wisconsin News

Sitting on the other side of the desk as a National History Day (NHD) judge was a new experience for University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point sophomore Noah Stachovak. The history and social studies education major aimed to be fair and provide honest critiques on student papers at the regional competition held April 4, 2025, at UW-Stevens Point.

For seven years as a student, Stachovak presented his own projects on historical topics that fit the NHD yearly theme. Most years, he entered his work in the documentary category. His earliest project was a presentation on the 1972 Summer Olympics attack in Munich, Germany.

Stachovak said NHD challenged him to stay organized while researching history topics. His documentary about the Suez Canal crisis won awards at the state level and advanced to nationals in Washington, D.C., held virtually due to the pandemic.

"Some of the topics are heavy, but there’s always a takeaway moment," Stachovak said. Students research sources, use critical thinking skills, write, design and organize information before presenting their projects. Many devote 15 or more hours weekly perfecting their history project.

"It gave me immense confidence with my own work," he said. "It was kind of daunting with people judging your work."

For his high school senior year project documenting the historical use of the Wisconsin River, he traveled from its source at the Michigan border to its mouth near Prairie du Chien, Wis., taking photographs along the way.

"I felt like there was an aspect I was missing," Stachovak said. "It adds a sense of personality to get specific shots you want."

His competitiveness drove him to improve his projects each year. Working on historical projects deepened his motivation to pursue history as a career. He enrolled at UWSP aspiring to teach following his parents' example—both educators.

"I want to shine that light on the next generation and be a resource for young students," he said. "I’m so thankful to all of my teachers and want to give back."

He will train this fall as an intern in UWSP's Tutoring-Learning Center leading discussion groups for United States Since 1877 history course taught by Cory Haala.

"You could see he was always thinking of how to apply lessons of history," Haala noted.

Stachovak looks forward to supporting others as a peer facilitator for Reading in Disciplines course in history aiming for dynamic teaching style similar to Haala's approach.

"It’s not just about history; it’s making it appealing so students get something out of it," Stachovak explained. "You give them practical applications and ways why history is important."