(College Park, MD) Sixty-nine Iowa students recently competed in the National History Day® National Contest, held in College Park, Maryland, from June 14–18. At the National Contest, projects from Iowa received two medals, eight top-ten finalist awards, and eight honorable mentions, celebrating their scholastic achievements.
To coincide with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, NHD’s 2026 theme was Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. Sixty-nine students from across Iowa 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.
“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.”
540 historians and education professionals served as judges for the students’ work. More than 100 students took home cash prizes between $250 and $2,000 for superior work in a particular category of judging, along with special prizes from a variety of sponsors.
2026 Medalist:
- 1st Place in Junior Individual Documentary
Student: Adrian Gillette
Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
Title: Brought to You by the Letter R: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Sesame Street’s Mission of Educational Equality - 3rd Place in Junior Group Performance
Students: Jace DeRocher, Nola McKee, Nora Mathistad, Peyton DeRocher, and Quinton Hart
Teacher and School: Val Philips, Akron Westfield Middle School
Title: The Cherry Sisters: How the World’s Worst Act Reformed Freedom of the Press
2026 Outstanding Entries
- Junior Paper
Student: Carly Lohmann
Teacher and School: Matt Hoodjer, Tripoli Middle/Sr High School
Title: Edna Griffin Reacts To Lunch Counter Discrimination: By Reforming Laws In Iowa - Senior Individual Documentary
Student: Kaia Schleifman
Teacher and School: Shauna Cihacek, Abraham Lincoln High School (Council Bluffs)
Title: Rats, Roaches, Love, and Guts: The Music that Moved a Nation
Top Ten Finalist
- Junior Group Performance
Students: Collins Grant, Naysa Rottink, and Rachel Sher
Teacher and School: Ann Jackson, B.R. Miller Middle School (Marshalltown)
Title: Jane Goodall: A Scientific Revolution, a Contentious Reaction, and a Reformed Definition of Man - Junior Individual Exhibit
Student: Max Mensing
Teacher and School: Gena Ward, Nodaway Valley Middle School
Title: Horses to Horsepower: The Tractor Revolution In Charles City, Iowa - Junior Group Exhibit
Students: Charlotte Mays, Emma Curry, and Nora Gallagher
Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
Title: Beyond the Bar: Gertrude Durden Rush, Civil Rights Pioneer and Legal Revolutionary - Junior Individual Website
Student: Jade Rupp
Teacher and School: Shauna Cihacek, Gerald W Kirn Middle School (Council Bluffs)
Title: The Tie That Binds: Revolution on the Rails - Senior Paper
Student: Dutch Smith
Teacher and School: Shauna Cihacek, Abraham Lincoln High School (Council Bluffs)
Title: “Se ha ordenado la incineración de cadáveres”: El Salvador’s Failed Revolution, Genocidal Reaction, and Meager Reforms - Senior Group Exhibit
Students: Abigail Nelson and Adrienne Stotts
Teacher and School: Shauna Cihacek, Abraham Lincoln High School (Council Bluffs)
Title: Copper Cross Hi-Bred Corn: Yield of Dreams
Honorable Mentions (Projects that received 2nd place in the first round of judging):
- Junior Group Documentary
Students: Branden Park and Zane Yehyawi
Teacher and School: Kristina Dvorak, Harding Middle School (Cedar Rapids)
Title: Haber: The Tragic Genius - Junior Group Documentary
Students: Paige Nicholson and Tynnlie Schram
Teacher and School: Val Philips, Akron Westfield Middle School
Title: The Sky Was Never the Limit, Just the Beginning: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Women’s Spaceflight - Junior Individual Performance
Student: Charley Seneli
Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
Title: “I’m Lovin’ It”: A French Fry Revolution Served Hot - Junior Group Exhibit
Students: Bailey Taylor, Evangeline Neighbor, and Harper Moran
Teacher and School: Deb Temperly, Bettendorf Middle School
Title: Carnival Curiosity to Clinical Necessity: Martin Couney’s Incubator Revolution and NICU Reform - Junior Group Website
Students: Lydia Beek and Winner Moo
Teacher and School: Ann Jackson, B.R. Miller Middle School (Marshalltown)
Title: The Stonewall Inn: Catalyst for Revolution, Target of Reaction, and Engine of Reform - Senior Group Performance
Students: Alex Gutierrez, Conner Holman, Jade Schwartz, and Josue Corral Coronado
Teacher and School: Susan Fritzell, Marshalltown High School
Title: Death and DuPont: How One Lawyer Revolutionized How People Trust Big Corporations - Senior Group Performance
Students: Colby Cross, Jacob Seberger, Luke Stalzer, Parker Christen, and Preston Johnson
Teacher and School: Susan Fritzell, Marshalltown High School
Title: The Granger Movement: How a Farmers’ Revolution in the Midwest Sparked Nationwide Reformation - Senior Group Website
Students: Eden Laguna Zavala, Fernando Ramirez, Frank Arbizu-Guerra, John Schwint, and Riak Tut
Teacher and School: Christina Rice, Storm Lake High School
Title: “Say Cheese!”: How the Introduction of Community Water Fluoridation in Grand Rapids Revolutionized Dental Health
2026 Project Showcase Selections
Smithsonian National Museum of American History Exhibit Showcase
- Senior Group Exhibit
Student: Abigail Nelson and Adrienne Stotts
Teacher and School: Shauna Cihacek, Abraham Lincoln High School (Council Bluffs)
Title: Copper Cross Hi-Bred Corn: Yield of Dreams
National Archives and Records Administration
- Senior Individual Website
Student: Jaevier Patel
Teacher and School: Susan Fritzell, Marshalltown High School
Title: JFK’s Impact on the Space Race: Shooting for the Moon
2026 Junior NHD National Teacher of the Year
- Ana Jackson from B. R. Miller Middle School, Marshalltown, IA
