Skip to Main Content

Sacramento County Students Compete at 2024 History Day

Students Vie for Spot in State Contest at SCOE-Sponsored Event

Students posing with project

Sacramento-area students selected topics and researched them like historians do: using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. Their final projects, including analysis and interpretations, detailed the facts and evidence they’d gathered throughout the school year.

Through performances, artistic displays, documentaries, Podcasts, and websites, 232 students brought history to life as they showcased their appreciation for history last Saturday at Inderkum High School during Sacramento County History Day. The March 2 competition champions are listed online. Many students received special awards, including certificates and cash prizes, thanks to the generous support of local organizations.

“Programs like History Day show we are making progress in teaching young people about the importance of understanding our history and civic engagement and learning from our past to help guide our future,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon.

In preparation for the competition, students honed their historical research and critical thinking skills while also enhancing their reading and writing abilities. Their projects were centered around the 2024 theme, “Turning Points in History.”

County Champions

Individuals and teams earning the highest honors (Champions) will advance to the National History Day–California competition, scheduled for April 19–21 at California State University, Sacramento. The following schools from Sacramento County will be represented in the state competition:

Elk Grove Unified School District

  • Cosumnes Oaks High School
  • Monterey Trail High School

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

  • Cordova High School
  • Folsom High School
  • Folsom Middle School
  • Sutter Middle School
  • Theodore Judah Elementary School
  • Vista del Lago High School

San Juan Unified School District

  • Mary Deterding Elementary
  • Mira Loma High School
  • Rio Americano High School
  • Winston Churchill Middle School

Private/Charter Programs

  • Sacramento Country Day School

About the Competition

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) administers Sacramento County History Day, along with the Center for Sacramento History and a team of dedicated volunteers. The local event is associated with National History Day, a year-long educational program that encourages elementary, middle, and high school students to explore local, state, national, and world history. At each competition level, student projects are evaluated by history experts and educators. Competition divisions include Elementary (grades 4–5), Junior (grades 6–8), and Senior (grades 9–12).

Group of students posing
Smiling student posing with project
Project displays lined up on tables