160 Students Compete In Annual Oregon History Day Contest; 54 Advance To National Contest (Photo) - 04/30/26
Portland, OR — On April 11, 160 middle and high school students gathered at Willamette University in Salem for the 2026 Oregon History Day competition. Students traveled from Albany, Corvallis, Philomath, Beaverton, Portland, Mt. Angel, Aloha, Bend, Hood River, St. Helens, Scappoose, Medford, Creswell, and Cottage Grove to present their documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites inspired by the annual theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.
The statewide affiliate of the National History Day® program, Oregon History Day is a student-directed, project-based interdisciplinary learning program. Creating projects inspired by an annual theme, young historians in grades 6–12 choose topics to explore, conduct historical research, practice critical thinking skills, and analyze primary and secondary sources while considering diverse viewpoints.
“Getting to see all the amazing candidates for Oregon History Day and seeing their peers who are so young cheering each other on in pursuit of research, knowledge, and truth was heartwarming,” said volunteer judge Grace H.
After having their projects evaluated by volunteer judges, 54 students qualified for the National Contest, which will take place June 14–18 at the University of Maryland. These students will proudly wear shirts and trade buttons featuring a design by Sunset High School’s Anuva S., winner of the 2026 Oregon History Day Design Contest for her creative interpretation of the theme. They join 3,000 competitors from across the nation at this annual celebration of student scholarship.
During this trip, Oregon students will have the opportunity to explore museums and historic sites around Washington, D.C., including a special tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, hosted by Mary Lang Bishop. They will also meet with Oregon senator Jeff Merkley and take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building with Senator Ron Wyden’s staff.
Five projects were also awarded special prizes at Oregon History Day for their outstanding research on overlooked histories across Oregon. Award-winning projects include:
Black History in Oregon Award
Oregon’s Black Exclusion Laws: The Drive for a White Utopia (Junior Group Documentary)
Mia D., Isla W., Ryla R., ACCESS Academy, Portland
Indigenous History in Oregon Award
The Twisted Legacy of the Cayuse War (Senior Group Documentary)
Emma S., Maggie M., Westview High School, Beaverton
LGBTQ+ History in Oregon Award
Measure 9: Oregon’s Hate and Oregon’s Pride (Senior Group Documentary)
Naail A., Nathan C., Byron L., Ryan L., Westview High School, Beaverton
Women’s History in Oregon Award
The Petticoat Revolution: How Seven Women Changed History (Junior Group Performance)
Livia H-B., Savanna W., Clara W., ACCESS Academy, Portland
Maritime History Award
Sponsored by the Northwest Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States
Pearl Harbor: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy (Junior Group Documentary)
Dionisis F-K., Vaughn K-S., Guani R., ACCESS Academy, Portland
Beyond the competition, Oregon History Day leaves a lasting impression on students, equipping them with skills in critical thinking, research, and communication that endure far beyond the classroom.
“It has all been such a blast,” said volunteer judge Siddharth S. “I am so reinvigorated by the passion that some students put into their historical exhibits, and I believe they will represent Oregon well.”
Oregon History Day’s success was made possible thanks to passionate educators, staff and dedicated volunteer judges who provided invaluable feedback and support.
Congratulations to all who participated — and best of luck to Oregon’s national finalists!
About the Oregon Historical Society
For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.
