Six Barrington High Students Secure Spots at National History Day Competition
Six students from Barrington High School earned first and second place at the state-level National History Day competition and will now represent their school at the national contest in Washington, D.C. next month.
The state contest took place at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) on April 27, drawing some of the best young history scholars from across the state. The Barrington team, competing independently through their History Club, stood out among nearly 3,000 students nationwide expected at the upcoming week-long national event.
Top Honors and Historic Projects
Salma Riahi, a junior and president of Barrington’s History Club, clinched first place in the individual paper division with her essay “Electrified and Electrocuted: The Newport Folk Festival as a Site of Revolution, Reaction, and Reform.”
Sophomores Jasper Case and John Merkel combined forces to win first place in the group performance division for their powerful reenactment titled “The Significance of Bloody Sunday.”
Juniors Peyton Hillier and Xavier Barako earned second place for their documentary film “The Spark,” which examines the 1772 Gaspee Affair, a critical revolutionary event. Sophomore Heidi Raif also placed second with her innovative website project on the “Jazz Age: The Harlem Renaissance.”
Additional recognition went to sophomore Kehan Tian, who took third place for her website exploring the economic and social aspects of China’s child policies under the theme of revolution, reaction, and reform.
Independent Dedication Fuels Success
Barrington High does not formally integrate National History Day into its curriculum; instead, all participants are motivated students working independently through the school’s History Club. “National History Day is like a science fair but for history,” teacher Tracy Miller explained, praising the students’ creativity across diverse formats—papers, performances, documentaries, websites, and exhibits.
From eight competitors at the state level, Barrington’s six top contenders demonstrated exceptional historical insight and commitment, setting the stage for strong competition on the national stage where students will represent all 50 states, U.S. territories, and international sites.
Next Steps: National History Day in Washington, D.C.
The Barrington team is now preparing to compete in Washington, D.C. against thousands of other young historians from around the globe. The national competition will test their ability to engage with history’s pivotal moments under this year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform.”
Their success highlights the power of independent academic pursuit and the rich opportunities offered by extracurricular learning, especially in history—a subject vital to understanding today’s social and political landscapes.
In Alabama and nationwide, education leaders and parents are watching closely as students like these Barrington High scholars inspire the next generation of critical thinkers and storytellers.
