Over 50 Idaho students earned national recognition at the 2022 National History Day competition, the Idaho State Historical Society announced on Monday. This was the event’s 39th season. 

This year’s contest featured more than 1,170 Idaho contestants – 53 of whom made it to nationals. Student projects were centered around the theme “Debate and Diplomacy in History.” 

Sophia Payvar and Sina Heinick from Riverstone International School received the Outstanding Affiliate Entry award in the senior division for their group website, while Mikayla Jensen and Molly White from Mountain View Middle School earned the same recognition in the junior category for their group performance. 

Renaissance High School student Maria Gimenez-Tena’s project on the Spanish Civil War was featured in the Smithsonian Learning Lab from June 13-27 as a part of the museum’s virtual showcase.

Along with the competition awards, five students received a collective $30,000 in scholarships from the College of Idaho and $2,500 from the historical society, ISHS announced. 

“Each of the students who worked so hard during the year to research, analyze and produce their own unique expressions of history deserve credit for their efforts,” said ISHS Executive Director Janet Gallimore. 

Gallimore also credited the teachers who motivated and assisted their students at the competition.