Henrico Historical Awareness Project competition honors Henrico fifth-graders

, and Patty Kruszewski, Citizen Managing Editor

March 23, 2025 . 4:54 PM

2 min read

Henrico students who competed in the Henrico Historical Awareness Project competition display their certificates of achievement. (Patty Kruszewski/Henrico Citizen)

More than two dozen Henrico fifth-graders were honored this winter for their winning entries in the Historical Awareness Project.

Sponsored by the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and Henrico County Recreation and Parks, the annual competition awards top students in each of the magisterial districts for their presentations (either on poster board or computer) of local history topics.

This presentation focused on Historic St. John's Church in Richmond, which at the time of Patrick Henry's famed "Give Me Liberty" speech there was located in Henrico County. (Patty Kruszewski)

In Brookland District, the first place award was won by Jacob and Zavier from Springfield Park E.S. for their project about the Seven Days Battle. Natalie, Om and Humberto from Johnson E.S. won second place for "A Walk Through Henrico History," and Eliza from Trevvett won third place for a project focusing on The Battle of Yellow Tavern.

Fairfield District winners include Angelo, Christopher, and Treyvon from Virginia Randolph Education Center for their first-place project about Virginia Randolph. KeTwan from Ratcliffe E.S. won second place for a presentation about Dabbs House, and Asheila, Mya, and Paityn from Harvie E.S. took third place for their project about the five magisterial districts.

In Three Chopt District, the first-place winner was Emmett from Rivers Edge E.S., who created a project about Dabbs House. Shady Grove E.S. students Oliver, Kashika, and Erik teamed up to win second place with a presentation entitled, "Currents of Time: How the James River Shaped Our History," and Aatmike from Twin Hickory E.S. won third-place honors with a project about Pocahontas.

The first-place entry in the Tuckahoe District, by Gayton Elementary School student Sebastian, focused on Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. (Patty Kruszewski/Henrico Citizen)

The Tuckahoe District first-place award went to Sebastian of Gayton E.S., whose project explored Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, while Lucy of Pinchbeck E.S. won second place with a presentation about the then-planned GreenCity development. Josie and Charlotte of Maybeury E.S. took third place with a project about Pocahontas.

In Varina District, Henrico Virtual Academy student Pavithra won first place with a presentation delving into the Laurel Historic District. Ayva, Ryland, and Marshall of Highland Springs E.S. took second place with their project about the Henrico Theatre, and third-place winner Micah of Ward E.S. presented the project, "Nathaniel Bacon: The Slideshow."