North Colonie Students Take 1st Prize at State-Wide History Competition

Saad Ashar and Zayd Bhatti hold their award from the New York State Archives Student Research Awards.Shaker High School 9th graders Saad Ashar and Zayd Bhatti took first place in the New York State Archives Student Research Awards, a statewide competition to promote and recognize excellence in student research.

Saad and Zayd took first place for their ten minute documentary titled, “Communication in History: The Catastrophic Miscommunication that Led to the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” The documentary was researched and completed last school year when both were 8th grade students at Shaker Middle School, winning them first prize in the Middle School Division.

Saad and Zayd researched and prepared the documentary over the course of several months with the help of the History Research and Competition Club (HRCC). The club is open to both high school and middle school students. The research in their project utilized primary sources and historical archives to uncover a new perspective of this significant historical event. The documentary provided historical context and analysis of the documents surrounding President Harry Truman’s decision to use the atomic bombs, including important documents that were withheld from the president. 

Saad and Zayd were supported in their research by research mentor Avi Bagchi and club advisor Andrew Krakat within HRCC. They received a plaque which will be on display in Shaker Middle School.

The New York State Student Research Awards looks to encourage students to explore the wealth of historical records held in historical records repositories in New York State. The program also serves to increase cooperation between schools and organizations that administer historical records useful for education.

Congratulations to Saad and Zayd on their accomplishment!


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