MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett honored young historians in Blount County on Monday.
Burchett visited Clayton-Bradley Academy to recognize the students who earned the chance to participate in the National History Day National Competition in Washington D.C. over the summer.
"It's really exciting to have a lot of support from our school and a congressman," said student Nadya Alborz. "It was really fun and I'm really grateful for that experience."
Alborz focused on the invention of the bicycle, and how it helped the suffrage movement in the United States for her presentation at the national competition.
She said participating in National History Day was eye-opening for her.
"I think it helps give us perspective on the world now," Alborz said. "And kind of learn more about a topic you're interested in. And you get to dive deeper into it, and that's great."
For the competition, students focused on turning points in history, said student Alexa Mekelburg.
She focused on the first women voters in New Zealand, which she said is what kicked off women's suffrage movements across the world.
"It was kind of a chain reaction domino effect," Mekelburg said. "So everybody just followed New Zealand and decided women could vote."
She said she enjoyed presenting her project in the nation's capital.
"It's nerve-wracking at first, but after you finish competing it's really fun," she said. "I hope to do it again this year."
Around 3,000 students from across the United States attended the competition over the summer.
Student Anadi Patel said she chose to present about Title XI because she's a student-athlete herself.
"The topic meant a lot to me because I was able to connect with it," she said. "I play basketball and volleyball and it was kind of hard to believe that at one point in history, Women weren't allowed to, so I really enjoyed this topic."
Student Mason Ivens, who competed at the regional level, said he encourages kids with an interest in history to take part in National History Day programs.
His project was on the V-2 rocket, the first liquid-propelled rocket engine.
"Go for it," Ivens said. "There will be challenges, but you can always push through them."