Tomorrow’s Historians Take the Stage: CT Students Head to National Competition After Winning at Connecticut History Day

When Mya Stettinger of East Haven heard she won second place at the Connecticut History Day State Competition, she was embraced by Nicole Sousa, Events and Outreach Manager for the Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House. As a student at High School In the Community in New Haven, Mya had participated in Connecticut History Day before, but had never advanced to the national level. This year, however, she earned an invitation to National History Day with her Senior Individual Exhibit, “Progress, Backlash, and Denial: The Tulsa Race Massacre through the Lens of Revolution, Reaction, and Reform,” representing Connecticut.

(Hartford, CT) – On May 2, the Connecticut Democracy Center hosted 435 middle and high school students from across the state for the 2026 Connecticut History Day competition at Central Connecticut State University. Students from 59 schools entered 268 research projects in hopes of representing Connecticut in the National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland, beginning on June 14, 2026. The State Contest was a culmination of months of hard work by students as they conducted historical research related to this year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Students who participated in the State Contest previously won contests at one of the five regional contests held earlier this spring.

Students participate in Connecticut History Day in various ways, including classroom instruction, after-school clubs, enrichment programs, and independent projects. They are permitted to explore any aspect of history, from local to international. They can work individually or in groups on topics of their own choice. Students must present projects in one of five categories – exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, or performances and learn how to identify primary sources, conduct research, and write a historical argument and thesis statement. As they develop their projects, students receive guidance from local teachers who also help prepare them to present their findings to volunteer judges.

“Students have been working on their projects for a good portion of the school year,” says Rebecca Taber, Director of Secondary Education Programs for The Connecticut Democracy Center. “It requires them to focus, study, collaborate, and communicate. What I love most about Connecticut History Day is watching students discover and develop a passion for research while utilizing critical thinking skills to put what they learn into historical context.”

The state contest results can be found on the Connecticut History Day website at historydayct.org or by clicking here. A total of 58 first and second-place winners in each category have earned coveted spots to represent Connecticut in the National History Day competition. Third-place finishers will serve as alternates. Additionally, 23 Special Prizes were awarded about specific topics, including World History, Connecticut History, Social Justice, Jewish History, American Legal History, and American Colonial History. These prizes are sponsored by local organizations.  For a list of special prize winners, click here.

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Connecticut History Day is an affiliate program of National History Day (NHD). CHD annually engages thousands of middle and high school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project-based learning. The program aims to bring together students, teachers, museums, and scholars to support young people as they engage with history. Led by the Connecticut Democracy Center, CHD is presented with major funding and partnership support from CT Humanities.