Sophomore Brianna Jimenez Captures NHD Principal’s Award

Sophomore Brianna Jimenez has captured the Principal’s Award for her Individual Documentary category project in this year’s National History Day contest. “The Hidden Cowboys” tells the story of the largely forgotten Black cowboys and their key role in the taming of America’s Wild West.

An exceptional young woman, Ms. Jimenez was presented with the award by Principal Rochelle C. Brown at a ceremony in the School Heritage Museum. One of the top students in Huntington’s Class of 2028, Ms. Jimenez compiled a weighted academic grade average in excess of 103 during the recent second marking period.

Click on this link to view the documentary in its entirety: briannajimenezregional.mp4

“I was initially drawn to my topic because of the popular image and aesthetic of the Wild West,” wrote Ms. Jimenez in a process paper that accompanied her project. “While searching for events that reflected the annual theme, I found it challenging to identify a topic that connected to the annual theme. During this process, a school administrator mentioned how Black cowboys were frequently referred to as ‘boys,’ in an attempt to undermine their status despite performing the same work as white cowhands. Before this, I was unaware that Black Americans held roles in an industry that I associated primarily with white Americans. Learning this reshaped my understanding of the West, motivating me to investigate what the West was really like. Further research deepened my understanding of the West and also helped me see how Black cowboys tie back into the annual theme. By challenging traditional hierarchies that prompted oppressive reactions, Black cowboys served as inspiration for future generations to shed light on and revive Black contributions and culture.”

The teenager said her research took shape over time, made more difficult because “Black cowboys were widely erased from the historical narrative, leaving me with few primary sources.”

So, Ms. Jimenez reviewed photographs, newspapers and personal accounts. They helped her “gain firsthand perspective of Black cowboy experiences while narrowing down my secondary selection,” she wrote in the process paper. A series of books also played a role in the research.

“Although there was no explicit reason why I chose a documentary, looking back makes me realize that it was the most effective way to showcase the story of Black cowboys, clearly,” Ms. Jimenez said. “By selecting and arranging visuals, strengthening my argument, with a narration accompanied by the iconic song, ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.’ While the music was originally chosen to establish a Western atmosphere, it later came to symbolize the contrast of traditional images of the West with the lesser-known history of Black cowboys.”

Ms. Jimenez said her project makes the argument “that systems of power in the American West suppressed the recognition of Black cowboys, which is seen evidently in pop culture. Their story reflects a global pattern in which marginalized groups are often barred from historical records, demonstrating how influential powers control the historical memory. This project also highlights the importance of historical awareness, as the recovery of Black cowboy stories ensure that history isn’t lost or forgotten.”

The Huntington teenager said the importance of Black cowboys goes beyond the mere symbolic. They were essential to the cattle industry,” Ms. Jimenez said. “Their work contributed to westward expansion and the economic development of the American West while being excluded from historical narratives. They disrupted romanticized images of the West, encouraging questioning of our American history and identity. Their initiative and resilience inspired future generations of Black cowboys and cowgirls to come together, reclaim their history, preserve and celebrate their heritage.”