137 Riverside County Students Advance to State After History Day Win In 2026

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Nearly 500 students from more than 50 Riverside County schools spent Saturday, March 14, competing in the 2026 Riverside County National History Day competition at Canyon Springs High School — and 137 of them are now headed to the state competition.

A total of 74 projects from grades 4 through 12 earned top finishes and will advance to the National History Day-California State Competition, May 1-3, 2026, at California State University, Sacramento. Winners there move on to the National History Day Competition, June 14-18, 2026, at the University of Maryland, College Park, according to a news release. This year's theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, drew projects on subjects ranging from the guillotine's role in the French Revolution and the video game backlash sparked by the original Nintendo Entertainment System to workplace safety reforms that followed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

"The extraordinary student projects on display at the Riverside County History Day are a powerful example of students integrating their curiosity and creativity with the depth of knowledge that comes from studying history," said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. "Our award-winning historians will not only represent Riverside County with distinction at the state competition, but the wisdom they have gained will provide a timeless competitive advantage as they pursue their educational and professional endeavors."

Students competed in individual and group categories, including documentary, performance, exhibit, website, and podcast. Fourth- and fifth-graders competed in poster and podcast categories; junior division (grades 6-8) and senior division (grades 9-12) students competed across all categories. The top three finishers in each junior and senior category. The top four in the elementary poster and podcast competitions qualify for state.

Participating school districts and schools included Banning USD, Corona-Norco USD, Moreno Valley USD, Riverside USD, Romoland SD, Val Verde USD, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Mission Vista Academy, Notre Dame High School, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School, Springs Charter School and Sycamore Academy.

For more information, visit www.rcoe.us/history-day.

Advancing to NHD-California State Competition

Elementary Individual Podcast:

Shadow Of A Hero: Welles Remy Crowther “Man In The Red Bandana,”Alexandra Gendreau, Garretson Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

The 1963 Birmingham Children's Crusade: The Youth Take Action, Aashni Elayaraja, Clara Barton Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Women Suffrage, Cataleya Wattanachinda-Jones, Moreno Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, Mariana Gutierrez, Armada Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Elementary Group Podcast

Martin Luther King, Amir CharlesFrancisco Arellano, Moreno Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

The Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War, Julian Garibay, Noah Sinner, Armada Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Titanic: A Reform to Regulating the Seas, Maxx Martinez, Manuel De Alba Martinez, Armada Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Elementary Individual Poster

Women's Suffrage: The Right to Vote, Elia Nevling, Boulder Ridge Elementary School, Romoland School District

Industrial Revolution in America, Navnidh NarraClara Barton Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

The Lego Cloning: Patent Protection, Kristin Choi, Temescal Valley Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Unbreakable: Rights and Responsibilities of the Navajo Code Talkers, Alisa Yi, Temescal Valley Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Elementary Group Poster

Restoring Native Traditions, Melanie Avila, Ella Brock, Hemmerling Elementary School, Banning Unified School District

The Philippine RevolutionLucia Jaimes, Samantha Houy, Temescal Valley Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Mahatma Gandhi and India’s Fight for Independence, Jash Davey, Hangyeol Kim, Nicholas SoteloClara Barton Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Civil War: Battle of Gettysburg, Roxana Rivas, Esmeralda Quezada Palacio, Nadia Montano Castaneda, Armada Elementary School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Junior Individual Documentary

Behind the Barbed Wire: The History of the Japanese American Incarceration, Andrew Del Villar, Sierra Vista Elementary School, Val Verde Unified School District

Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board and the Fight for Educational Equality, Marya Ibrahim, Amelia Earhart Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

Advance Directives: Your Life, Your Choice, Diya VoraCorona Fundamental Intermediate School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Junior Group Documentary

Rights and Responsibilities in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, Swara Vasireddy, Ayesha Ashfaq, Samawiyah Aslam, Amelia Earhart Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

The USA Patriot Act: Balancing Civil Liberties and the Responsibility to ProtectRodrigo Rangel, Caleb McMahon, Donovan Benitez, Edward Hernandez, Vista Verde Middle School, Val Verde Unified School District

Environmental Rights: Rachel Carson's Impact on Our World, Angela Ananthanathan, Ronov Ranjith, Corona Fundamental Intermediate School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Junior Individual Exhibit

Sunny Days: Sesame Street’s Fight for Educational Rights, Equality, and Media Responsibility, Georgia Nunez-Corvera, Sierra Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

The New Deal: Creating Jobs, But Was It Fair? Marina Loza, Chemawa Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

Nuremberg Trials Rights and Responsibilities for Humanity, Tyson Dylan DeaGarretson, Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Junior Group Exhibit

Rights Erased: The Forgotten Massacre of NanjingOrion Baroi, Jayden Quintana, Christian Eusebio, Noah DoneyVista Verde Middle School, Val Verde Unified School District

The New Deal: Your Rights, Their Responsibilities, Jill Hacker, Laila Garcia, Sierra Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

The Right to Die vs. the Responsibility to Protect: The Impact of Cruzan v. Missouri, Viviana Narez, Mary Soriano, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Junior Individual Performance

Filling Empty Spaces: American Women's Role in World War II, Dina Bakir, Corona Fundamental Intermediate School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Sati: A Widow's Right to Live, Society's Responsibility to Protect, Akshita Saravana, Corona Fundamental Intermediate School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Workers' Rights and Corporate Responsibilities: The Battle of the Homestake Lockout, Bonnie LeQuire, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Junior Group Performance

Disability Rights MovementKendall Owen, Roshhan Satheeshkumar, Rohit Satheeshkumar, Belagia Faltas, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

The Bold Suffragette: The WSPU's Use of Jiu-Jitsu to Hold Parliament Responsible for Giving Them Their Rights, Sadie Rotz, Lauren Rivas, Brandon Rivas, Mila Matusevich, Mission Vista Academy

Breaking the Chains of Child Labor: The Keating Owen Act, Anchali Srirajan, Ayaan Ali, Lincoln Fundamental Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Junior Individual Podcast

The John Peter Zenger Trial: Defending Press Freedom and the Responsibility of Truth, Penelope Cordero, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

The Right to Believe, the Responsibility to Respect: Roger Williams and the Seeds of Religious Liberty.Melody Velasco, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Halo Of Honor: Navigating The Battlefield Angel’s Dilemma, Muzammil Khan, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Junior Group Podcast

Margaret Sanger: The Responsibility to Protect Reproductive RightsMalia Johnson, Daniela Cardoso, Katelyn Fisher, Athena Chacon, Vista Verde Middle School, Val Verde Unified School District

From Silence to Solidarity: The Rights and Responsibilities That Shaped Teachers’ UnionsElijah Holm, Lilyana Covington, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

California Water Wars: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in the Struggle for Water Resources, Julissa Guerra, Isabella Aviles, Emily Hernandez, Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Junior Individual Website

No More Negotiations, Sign 504: How Disabled Americans fought for their Rights in the 504 Sit-In, Layla Wescott, Amelia Earhart Middle School, Riverside Unified School District

The Americans With Disabilities Act: New Rights, New Responsibilities, Hannah Palardy, Riverside STEM Academy, Riverside Unified School District

From Headlines to Hysteria: How Yellow Journalism Encapsulated the Importance of Freedom of Press and Journalistic Duty, Juliet Aung, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Junior Group Website

The Chinese Exclusion Act: Rights and ResponsibilitiesPreston Lopez, Andrew Jetti, Riverside STEM Academy, Riverside Unified School District

The Columbine Shootings: The Rights and Responsibilities of Students, Vivian Lee, Analise Persek, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Rights and Responsibilities: Unlocking Potential: How IDEA is Transforming Education for All!, Sasha Rana, Mariam Mikhaeil, Verena Ebed, Lincoln Fundamental Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Senior Individual Documentary

Universal vs. Nintendo: Shaping the Responsibilities of a Video Game Giant, Kian Revale, Orange Vista High School, Val Verde Unified School District

“Tragedi 1998: A Reckoning on Protester Responsibilities,” Dustin Sihotang, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Kill the Indian Save the Child | A People's Right to Culture and Language, Zayanna Mejico, Vista del Lago High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Group Documentary

Redefining Safety-Following 9/11: The Responsibility To Protect At the Expense Of Rights, Matin Sivandi, Shivam Master, Aatif Azkarkhan, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

From Rot to Real: How the FDA Protected Consumer Rights While Regulating Industry Responsibilities, Phoebe Heng, Saanvi Nukala, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Ni Una Menos: A Movement for Women's Rights, Makenna Melendez, Krisha Patel, Norco High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Senior Individual Exhibit

Brazilian Government’s Responsibility in Protecting Women’s RightsSofia GalvanMartin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Korean-Americans Right for Self-Defense vs. Authorities Failure in Responsibility During the 1992 LA Riots, Emily Shin, Centennial High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Brushed with Censorship: How Nazis Created the “Degenerate Art” Exhibitions to Erase Artists' Rights, Warda Khan, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Group Exhibit

Right to Care: The History of the Pap Smear and How it Revolutionized Women’s Healthcare, Aashritha Sayyaparaju, Mahima Mangamuri, Jacqueline Vo, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Radium Girls: They Died for Your Rights, Payton Brumbaugh, Michelle McEnery, Norco High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Chavez Ravine: A Community Displaced, Rights Ignored, and Responsibilities Rewritten in the Construction of Dodger Stadium, Ethan Lundberg, Joselyn Lopez, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Individual Performance

The Lights, The Sounds, The Reflection, The Impact: Broadway Has a Powerful Voice, Mason Gonzales, John W. North High School, Riverside Unified School District

Senior Group Performance

Asylum Secrets: Nellie Bly’s Impact and Truth, Kayleigh Pobog, Joy Manalo, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Innocence on the Assembly Line: Responsibility Ignored, Rights Denied, Elya Hussain, Maryam Rizvi, Shruthi Gouni, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Speaking Your Truth; A Right or Responsibility? Yellow Journalism, Emily Martinez, Camryn Canada, Xavier Carrillo, Benjamin Briggs, Amyah Biddle-Browne, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Individual Podcast

Breaking the Chains: Curt Flood and the Fight for Player Rights, Jackson Barlett, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

When Rivers Burn: The River That Sparked a National Movement for the Right to Clean Water and Environmental Responsibility, Jazae-Zehra Rizvi, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

From Rights to Ruins: The Responsibilities We Owe After the Tulsa Race Massacre, Carlie Adams, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Group Podcast

Right to Publish, Responsibility to Protect: The Pentagon Papers, Natalia Avila, Natalie Ballesteros, Jadeynn GallardoMartin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Rights and Responsibilities: School Racial IntegrationClayton Kraus, Bear GarrettMartin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Defining Disability: The Legacy of Sterilization on Disability Rights in the United States, Caitlin Buensuceso, Brayden Goytia, Centennial High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Senior Individual Website

The Napoleonic Code: The Catalyst for Rights and Responsibilities, Patrick MoonMartin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

Bottoms Up: Analyzing the Right to Regulate Alcohol and the Responsibilities of the Public Beers, Shivangi Kumari, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

The Power of Innovation and Progress: Rights and Responsibilities in the Age of the Printing Press, Dale Ivan Singh, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Senior Group Website

Survivors of the Wartime Female Slavery System: The Rights and Responsibilities, Michelle Hur, Dahlia Balderrama, Nathan Gautsche, Noor Jaber, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside Unified School District

From Wonder Drug to Transcendental Tragedy: Thalidomide, the Legacy of Patient Rights and Pharmaceutical Responsibility, Olivia Chiang, Aneri Patel, Asma Parekh, Centennial High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment: Rights Ignored and Responsibilities Abused, Tanush Komatineni, Matthew Zhao, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Corona-Norco Unified School.