Essex, Missouri - Richland R-1 School eighth grader Emily Blunt shows off her first place medal after she recently received First Place in the Junior Division of History Day’s Individual Documentary Competition in Columbia.

Students in grades six through eight were in the junior group; high school students made up the senior group.

Blunt will represent the state of Missouri while competing in the National History Day Competition in June in Washington, D.C.

Blunt will also be competing in the National Junior Beta Photo Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, which is also in June.

"National History Day in Missouri, launched in 1980, is the state affiliate of National History Day. Each year, nearly half a million students nationwide—grades 6 to 12—participate in this innovative educational program. They conduct extensive research on a historical subject that they choose and present findings their way by creating documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances or websites.

The State Historical Society of Missouri, in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council, administers National History Day in Missouri. Over 3,000 students participate in local and regional competitions each year, with nearly 600 advancing to the state contest at the University of Missouri in April.

Top winners in each category earn the opportunity to serve as Missouri delegates to the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest in College Park, Maryland in June. Missouri's students represent the Show-Me State well, frequently bringing home medals in both the junior and senior divisions!"

Congratulations Emily Blunt!  We are proud of you!

Photo by Kate Wyman / Richland School