From war stories to aviation legends, Okaloosa STEMM Academy students captivate state judges
Okaloosa County, Florida – Bringing home multiple awards and supporting the school’s developing reputation for distinction in history and academic competitions, students from Okaloosa STEMM Academy left a remarkable imprint at the 2025 Florida History Day State Contest.
STEMM Academy students stood out for both their thorough research and innovative presentations at the state tournament, which attracts some of Florida’s most gifted young historians. Among this year’s noteworthy honorees was Olivia Scopac, who received the Florida Digital History Award. Olivia’s documentary, “Vietnam Above the Treetops,” showed not just technical competence but also a sharp capacity to combine digital storytelling with relevant historical context. Judges found her work interesting for its compelling narrative and careful research.
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Another Academy star, Aurora Preston, won the Women’s Heritage Award for her documentary “The Night Witches: How Soviet Women Pursued Their Responsibility to Defend Their Country.” Aurora’s work highlighted the frequently ignored efforts of Soviet women pilots throughout World War II. Her documentary also won the Outstanding County Award for Okaloosa County, highlighting the local relevance and influence of her work.
Teamwork was also evident as National Maritime Historical Society Award category first place winners Ellie Veal and Klare Young. Their collective performance, “Amelia Earhart’s Rightful Flight,” garnered great acclaim and a place in the National Maritime Historical Society’s journal, so giving their work greater visibility. Apart from winning a cash prize, their performance will go online at seahistory.org.
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This year’s recognition was not confined to students. Mr. Andrew Adams of STEMM Academy was selected Florida History Day 2025 Teacher of Merit, a major statewide award given yearly to one instructor for outstanding commitment to history teaching. This highlights the excellent culture of mentoring and support inside the school since it marks the second consecutive year a STEMM teacher has won this award.
“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.”
Using various mediums including documentaries, performances, exhibits, and websites, Florida History Day lets middle and high school students explore historical study in line with an annual theme. Participating in this demanding curriculum for more than ten years, Okaloosa STEMM Academy has given students useful tools in research, analysis, and public speaking—tools that will help them in the future.
To see the whole list of winners and further information on the Florida History Day program, go to the official website floridahistoryday.com.
