After months of intensive research and success at district and county-level competitions, champions were recognized in Sacramento on Sunday, May 3rd at California State University Sacramento, concluding the 2026 National History Day—California state competition. More than 1,600 students participated, coming from 276 schools across 27 counties. Seventy-one students will represent California at the National History Day competition taking place in College Park, Maryland June 13-18, 2026.
Contest Photos
Click here to view photos from the NHD-CA Contest.
Contest Winners
"Champions" in the Documentary, Exhibit, Performance, Historical Paper, & Website categories advance to the National History Day contest in June.
Junior/Senior Division Champions
CA Nominees for the "Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year" Award
Two educators from California have been nominated for the prestigious “Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year” award, a national honor for teachers who engage History Day students through innovative teaching and active learning strategies. The winners will be announced during the National History Day awards ceremony. California’s nominees are:
Lisabet Nepf
Sierra Madre Middle School, Los Angeles County
Junior Division (Grades 6–8)
Jesus Mendoza
Patterson High School, Stanislaus County
Senior Division (Grades 9-12)
