Lily H. '31 wins state history award

Feedback is essential to anyone’s growth, regardless of age. Not everyone, though, can handle constructive criticism, let alone apply it.

On a recent project outside of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Lily Hoar ’31 embraced feedback, and she was rewarded for that maturity and open-mindedness.

Competing in the Junior Division of the Website Category, Lily earned an honorable mention award at the Massachusetts History Day State Contest at Winchester High School on April 11.

“I am very proud of my honorable mention,” Lily said. “I worked very hard for a long time and it paid off. Even though I didn't move on to the national competition, I am very happy with the result.”

Following the event’s theme of “Revolution, Reaction, Reform,” Lily made a website dedicated to the “Unsung Heroines of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.”

Lily finished in the top three at the regional competition on March 15, and took feedback from that event to improve her website.

“After the regional competition, I received feedback from the judges and modified my website from what they suggested,” she explained. “I added more primary sources and excerpts from written works from activists. I also added another section called “Reaction and Reform,” which tied the website to this year's theme.”

The state presentation included a pair of 15-minute discussions with a judge; 12 students were in Lily’s category.

“This event felt more formal than regionals,” Lily said. “Regionals didn't have an official awards ceremony and had less people. The state competition was an all-day event and had an official awards ceremony at the end, where all the awards were presented and prizes were awarded.

And one of those prizes went to Lily.