Okaloosa STEMM Academy Excels at 2025 Florida History Day State Competition

Students from the nationally recognized Okaloosa STEMM Academy earned top honors at the 2025 Florida History Day State Competition, showcasing their excellence in historical research, academic achievement, and creative expression. Olivia Scopac received the Florida Digital History Award for her compelling documentary, Vietnam Above the Treetops, highlighting her deep understanding of digital storytelling and historical analysis. Aurora Preston earned the Women’s Heritage Award for her documentary, The Night Witches: How Soviet Women Pursued Their Responsibility to Defend Their Country. In addition to this state recognition, Aurora also received the Outstanding County Award for Okaloosa County, further emphasizing the local impact of her research.

Ellie Veal and Klare Young won First Place in the National Maritime Historical Society Award for their engaging group performance, Amelia Earhart’s Rightful Flight. In addition to a cash prize, their achievement will be featured in the National Maritime Historical Society’s magazine, published at seahistory.org. In addition to student awards, Mr. Andrew Adams, a dedicated educator at STEMM, was named the Florida History Day 2025 Teacher of Merit. This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to one Florida teacher for exemplary creativity and commitment to history education inside and outside the classroom. This marks the second consecutive year an educator from STEMM has received this statewide honor. “These outstanding accomplishments are a testament to the hard work, talent, and dedication of our students and educators,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and how they represent the excellence of Okaloosa County Schools.” 

The Florida History Day program is a highly respected academic competition that challenges students to explore historical topics aligned with an annual theme through research papers, performances, documentaries, exhibits, and websites. For over a decade, the Florida History Day program at STEMM Academy has shaped the next generation of scholars, providing students with research skills, historical awareness, and public speaking confidence—all tools for future success. For more information about Florida History Day and the complete list of 2025 winners, visit: https://floridahistoryday.com/awards-and-prizes/2025-fhd-state-winners/2025-special-prize-winners/.