NHD contestant concludes Fontana Dam’s construction has had a negative impact on the people of Swain County
Elsie-Mae Clayton proudly represented Swain County at National History Day in Washington D.C. with her presentation on “The Federal government and the broken promises.”
Clayton’s work was displayed and presented at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H. Stamp Student Union June 7-12.
Clayton competed against approximately 89 other groups and individual projects from the United States, District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Department of Defense Schools in the Atlantic, as well as international schools in China, Korea, etc. Approximately 3,000 people attended the 2025 NHD event.
Clayton’s mom, Caitlin Quinnett, said that while her daughter did not place, she was among the youngest and only North Carolina student to present a project at the Smithsonian.
“She has a National History Day Alumni certificate,” said Quinnett.
While set up at the Smithsonian, people asked questions and conversed with student contestants. An Arkansas National History Day Coordinator asked Clayton why she chose her topic and why it was significant in history.
“This shows that the government can take your land even though it may not always be the right decision for everyone,” Clayton said in response. “The reason I chose it was because I knew they had taken land for the dam but wanted to learn more, so I learned about the cemeteries connected to it, the road and that kind of stuff.”
Clayton added that many people complimented her board at the Smithsonian as it drew a considerable amount of attention.
Clayton admitted she was a little nervous when presenting for competition at Stamp Student Union, but she stuck to what she knew.
“My project was more about why the dam was built and its impact, negative and positive,” said Clayton. “My project title was ‘The federal government and the broken promises.’”
Clayton shared her project thesis:
“While beneficial on the national level, Fontana Dam’s construction has had a negative impact on the people of Swain County. The people of Swain County had the right to private property. Once the property was taken for the dam, they deserved just compensation and the promise of the road to be built. They lost generational land and a way of life due to the decisions of the federal government through eminent domain. The responsibility of the US government is to protect the rights of its citizens; however, they failed my family along with other residents of Swain County, North Carolina.”
Clayton’s family traveled to D.C. along with her. They saw many sites and met new people.
“I got to see Trump’s motorcade on the first day I was there,” said Clayton. “I went to the Smithsonian and went on a tour. I got to see some of the artifacts in storage they hadn’t out on display yet.”
Still a kid going into seventh grade, Clayton was most impressed by the original Muppet Cookie Monster, Elphaba’s Hat, Batman’s mask and decorated Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky’s kickboard.
Clayton met Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III.
“We drove around the Lincoln Memorial because they were getting it ready for the military parade, which was that Saturday,” said Clayton. “They were blocking everything off, so things didn’t get destroyed. It was kind of hard to access but we still got to the Washington Monument.”
While at the week-long national contest, students got to know each other during events like an ice cream social, NHD Parade of States and dance. Contestants exchanged buttons from other US states, territories and international schools.
Mostly, Clayton was happy to experience D.C. with her family and complete “The Federal government and the broken promises” project.
“I worked very hard on it… very hard,” she said. “It took nine months out of my kid-self. I was basically an adult. I was citing sources. I did very hard work, but I liked learning about my past, also.”
In the meantime, Clayton maintained straight A report cards and played multiple sports.
Through donors, lemonade stands, raffles, candy bar sales and private donations, she was able to fund her trip to D.C. Clayton received an overwhelming amount of community support.
“Thank you,” Clayton said.
2025 NHD winners can be found at nhd.org.