My name is Carson McFadden. I am the oldest son of Brent and Caroline McFadden. I am in 7th grade at Lava Ridge Intermediate School. I am excited to report that I have been selected, in a statewide competition that required winning both regional and state History Fairs, to represent Utah at the National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland, College Park, on June 12-16, 2011.
National History Day (NHD) is a nationally acclaimed, academic enrichment program that promotes the study of history in our schools. National History Day does for history what the Science Fair does for science. Each year students like me create exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites and historical papers about a topic that is related to the annual NHD theme.
This year’s theme is “Debate and Diplomacy in History.” I chose to create an exhibit titled “Atomic Testing vs. The Downwinders: An Explosive Debate.” One of the reasons I chose this topic is because both of my grandmas, two great-grandmas and many friends of my family have been diagnosed with cancer after growing up in Southern Utah and living in the fallout from the Nevada Test Site.
I spent five months researching previously ‘Top Secret’ documents in the National Archives, Congressional Reports and hundreds of articles. I interviewed many cancer victims who are now known as “Downwinders”. I learned about the Cold War and the arms race, specifically the atomic testing in Nevada, and the resulting sickness and death of US citizens. The truth of the government cover up shocked me and speaking with the victims made me cry. I wanted to win the State competition so I could take my project to Washington and display it there during the National History Fair to remind everyone what happened. I don’t want anyone in the United States to suffer like this again.
Participating in the History Fair has given me a love for learning that nothing else could. I recommend it to everyone! This is my third year of competition, and the first year I am old enough to go to Nationals. 
After winning 2nd place at the State History Fair, I have the opportunity to compete in Washington DC. I am very, very excited about this and feel like this competition will contribute to my education like few experiences can. The costs, however, are more than my allowance will cover. I am in need of your help to raise funds so I can travel to the University of Maryland in June.
Please take a minute to look through the photos of my project and click the donation button if you feel you could help me attain my goal. Thank you for contributing to my success!!
Carson McFadden