Vermont’s Young Historians Take the Stage
By Meg Mallory, Outreach Educator
Each spring, something remarkable happens on the campus of Saint Michael’s College in Colchester. Hundreds of students from across the state arrive, carrying months of research in the form of carefully built exhibits, rehearsed performances, constructed websites, edited documentaries, and polished papers for Vermont History Day (VHD). A Main Street Middle School student shared: “the experience of meeting new people and being able to socialize with people from other schools is a highlight for me.”
Smiles are plentiful. Nerves are, too. The result is one of the most energizing days on our calendar.
Vermont History Day is an annual educational competition for students between the fifth and twelfth grades. They come to share their supported claim in connection with National History Day’s yearly theme, and work with teacher mentors who offer guidance through public and private in-class curriculum, home school, afterschool programs, and offerings in partnership with librarians and local historians. They gather to showcase their work related to a historical topic for the chance to win prizes. Students who place in the top two of their project category at VHD advance to National History Day (NHD) held each June at the University of Maryland, where they have a chance to represent Vermont on a national stage.
With 363 registrants, 2026 contest was our biggest year to date. The theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History” inspired projects on topics ranging from “Erasing Little Italy: Urban Renewal and Vermont's Housing Legacy” to “Flannel: A historic Vermont symbol of strength that has driven reform, survived war and endless days of hard work.” VHD topics are not required to focus on Vermont's history, as projects such as “Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring: A Reaction to Nationalism and a Revolution in Modernism” and “Catherine the Great: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in Imperial Russia" demonstrate.
History Day champions student agency and choice through topic selection to the way in which they demonstrate their learning. The breadth and depth of the work on display is a testament to the curiosity and commitment these students bring. A South Burlington High School student reported: “my interview was really good. I think the judges were so sweet and supportive. Going into it I was so nervous, but they were so engaged, focused, and asked great questions.” Her group member jumped in and shared, “it was actually pretty fun to talk about the topic with people who understood it and were also interested.”
Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated judges who bring both expertise and genuine enthusiasm to the work. Judging VHD isn’t just about evaluating a project. It’s about meeting a student where they are, recognizing what they’ve accomplished, and offering the kind of honest, thoughtful feedback that helps them grow. The balance is harder than it looks, and it makes a difference. For many students, a few encouraging words from a judge, someone who took their work seriously and engaged with it on its own merits, can be the most memorable part of the day. This is evidenced by the number of emails that we receive from teachers after the contest.
The program isn’t just a competition. VHD provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities through authentic assessment, honing key transferable skills like critical thinking, research, and communication through historical inquiry. For many participants, it’s the first time digging into primary sources, visiting a library archive, or building an argument backed by evidence. It is an experience that stays with students as they continue their educational journey. VHD alums have appeared on Jeopardy, written for historical publications, and even become the Executive Director of our state historical society.
As the cheers die down, and the last exhibit boards are packed away in cars, it’s important to recognize that VHD is made possible through the support of teachers, schools, local organizations, sponsors, and the many volunteers who give their time as judges and mentors. To everyone who helps make this day happen year after year, thank you!
To the students – keep asking questions. The world needs people who understand that history is never settled; it’s made of choices, shaped by ordinary people, and it’s always worth revisiting. You are building the habits of mind that make good citizens, good neighbors, and good thinkers. That work matters more than ever!
Here are the winners of this year's Vermont History Day:
