WASHINGTON, D.C. — A dozen Utah students placed among the top entries at the annual National History Day competition, which began on June 11 at the University of Maryland, College Park.
They earned honors among more than 2,500 international competitors at the meet celebrating student research, historical thinking and analytical skills.
This year, 62 Utah students competed at nationals, having been selected from more than 4,000 who participated in Utah’s National History Day contests.
The national team includes students from Smithfield, River Heights, Centerville, Salt Lake, West Valley, Midvale, Herriman, Highland, Orem, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Helper, Price and St. George.
The competition was the first in-person national contest since 2019. During the rigorous week of competition, the students toured the United States Capitol and met with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney.
Students also visited historic sites, monuments and museums around Washington, D.C., including Ford’s Theatre and the Library of Congress.
The team from Dixie High School, Natalie Edie, Ethan and Cade Van Komen, and Elise Willard represented Southern Utah at the annual National Endowment for the Humanities Breakfast on the Hill event on June 14.
The foursome discussed their performance project on the history and development of Braille with Utah congressional leaders.
“Studying history helps prepare young people to shape the future for the better,” Romney tweeted after meeting the group. “Enjoyed meeting with four exceptional students from Dixie High School to congratulate them on their strong performance at the state level of the National History Day competition.”
Utah’s National History Day program encourages students to delve into the past through historical research, critical thinking, and creative presentation. Students may choose a topic from local, national, or world history, ranging from politics and war to science, social history and the arts.
Then, students create museum-style exhibits, historical performances, original websites, documentary films and research papers. Projects are judged in a series of competitions beginning at the local level and culminating in the national contest held each June.
“History Day is an exciting way to engage students and teachers in the study of historical issues, people and events,” said Wendy Rex-Atzet, state coordinator. “What students learn through their research also changes the way they understand current events and contemporary issues. They see how history is relevant to civic life and how it can help inform our responses to the challenges and opportunities of today.”
NHD Utah is the state’s official National History Day affiliate. The program, originally developed in 1980 at Utah State University, was transferred to the Utah Division of State History in 2014.
Utah’s National History Day program is open to students in grades 4-12, in public, private, online and home schools. Visit for information, or email [email protected].
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