During these historic times, Arizona students are making history by sharing the past… one project at a time. The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) congratulates the 58 Arizona students who competed against thousands of students all over the world at the National History Day® (NHD) Virtual Contest June 14-20, 2020. Middle school (junior division) and high school (senior division) students addressed this year’s theme, Breaking Barriers in History, through the creation of documentary films, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites. The students either worked on their own as individuals or in groups. Twelve Arizona students received special honors at this year’s competition—including a second-place finish and two best affiliate awards.

Stacey Trepanier, State Coordinator for the Arizona Historical Society’s National History Day Arizona program shared, “National History Day Arizona students have been incredibly resilient in overcoming so many obstacles this semester due to the coronavirus. They rose to meet the challenges of participating in a virtual state competition and national competition. This year, our logo even included a Phoenix rising above the virus. I am so proud of all the students who competed this year. NHDAZ is an amazing program that helps develop our state’s best and brightest young historians!” 

National History Day 2020 Award Winners

Hannah Tsay, Chandler AZ – Second Place, Senior Individual Website, Ed Roberts and the Rolling Quads: Breaking Social and Architectural Barriers for Individuals with Disabilities

Best Affiliate Entries

The following students finished in the top twenty in the world and received the highest ranks for their division in the State of Arizona.

Junior Division

Vir Dolasa-Sahani, Tempe, AZ – Individual Documentary, The Interstate Highway System

Senior Division

Grant Trepanier, Gilbert, AZ – Individual Documentary, Seeing With a Wet Nose- Morris Frank Breaking Barriers to Independence and Freedom for the Blind

Honorable Mentions

The following Arizona students finished in the top 20 in the world 

Drew Devine, Chandler, AZ – Junior Individual website, Justice for All

Suhani Karkra, Chandler, AZ – Junior Individual performance, Carver High

Rain Brown, Elena Candleria, and Juanita Leoni, Tucson, AZ – Senior Group Exhibit, The Code Girls

Sanjeet Ramyesh, Arjun Phull, Suraj Phull, Adith Narayanan, Phoenix, AZ – Senior Group Documentary on Polish Solidarity

Saanvi Tiwary, Peoria, AZ – Senior Individual Exhibit, Popping Barriers- The Pop Art Movement

Senou Kounhou, Peoria – Senior Paper, The Black Seminoles