Wyoming Students Excel at 2026 National History Day Contest

[COLLEGE PARK, MD] — 40 students from all corners of Wyoming recently competed in the National History Day contest, held in College Park, Maryland, from June 14–18. 
 
To coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, NHD’s 2026 theme was Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. 1,683 students from Wyoming joined more than half a million students globally who completed historical research projects in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. After completing their research and designing a project, students competed in a series of contests beginning at the local level. The top students from 49 states, Washington D.C., U.S. territories, and international schools advance to the annual National Contest. Only 3,000 students advanced to the top level this year.
 
Congratulations to the following students from Wyoming History Day for their participation at the 2026 National History Day National Contest:

 

Jackson Hole High School student Ellie Baker advanced to the final round, placing 9th out of 100 entries from around the globe for her documentary titled “The Howls of Wyoming: How an Ecological Revolution Brought a Violent Reaction in the West.” View Ellie’s documentary on YouTube here.

 

Emily Mai from Laramie High School advanced to the final round for her exhibit titled “Reaction to Injustice: The Black 14’s Drive for Reform” in 8th place among a very competitive field of high school exhibits. Emily’s exhibit was also featured in a showcase at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

 

Emily Mai received recognition for the Outstanding Senior Project from Wyoming. Roma Beaulier, from Laramie, received the Outstanding Junior Project from Wyoming for her individual performance titled “The Conservation Revolution of the 1906 Antiquities Act and the Reaction and Reform That Followed.”

 

“National History Day provides an incredibly enriching experience for students in middle and high school,” said NHD Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “NHD students learn to research, analyze, and effectively articulate their position. Just one percent of this year’s NHD participants advanced to the national level, so all students should be proud of their achievements. NHD will benefit students far beyond academics as they become successful professionals, community-minded leaders, and engaged citizens.”

 

About Wyoming History Day:  Since 1980, the American Heritage Center has administered the Wyoming History Day state contest, a premier K–12 academic program that helps students build skills in research, creativity, communication, and critical thinking through the study of history.

 

About National History Day (NHD): NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. Established in 1974, NHD currently engages more than half a million students each year in conducting original research on historical topics of interest and supports teachers through professional development opportunities. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the annual National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by the Joyful Noise Charitable Foundation, The Better Angels Society, Bezos Family Foundation, Library of Congress, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Behring Global Educational Foundation, and the National Park Service. For more information, visit nhd.org.