Westminster College will host more than 250 middle school and high school students during the History Day competition Tuesday, March 25.

This year's History Day theme is "Rights and Responsibilities in History." Contestants can choose from the following contest categories: individual paper, individual performance, individual exhibit, individual documentary, group exhibit, group performance, and group documentary.  The contest is divided into two divisions: junior, which includes grades six through eight; and senior, which includes grades nine through 12.

Schools registered to participate include: Butler Intermediate and Senior High Schools, Greenville High School, Grove City Middle and High School, Hickory High School, Kennedy Catholic High School, St. Mary's Assumption School, St. Michael's School, St. Stephen's School, Seneca Intermediate and Senior High School, and West Middlesex High School.

The competition gives students an exciting way to study history, and learn about issues, people, other cultures and events that interest them.  Students may choose their own topics, then decide to work individually or as part of a group.  The winners of the school-based competition are qualified for one of Pennsylvania's 15 regional  competitions, and the top three winners from each region advance to the state competition.  Winners at the state level will compete in National History Day in June.

The event is open to the public.  For more information, contact Dr. David Twining, associate professor of history and coordinator of the event, at (724) 946-6246 or e-mail twinindc@westminster.edu.