Every April, students in grades 4–12 from across Utah take part in Utah History Day, part of the larger National History Day (NHD) competition. Participants choose a historical topic related to an annual theme, then conduct primary and secondary research using sources from libraries, archives, and museums. Final projects are presented as an exhibit, documentary, performance, paper, or website.

The 2024–2025 theme, Rights & Responsibilities in History, encouraged students to explore questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance.

History in Government Prize

As a repository that holds millions of primary records, the Utah State Archives and Records Service Division is proud to participate in Utah History Day. We sponsor a special History in Government prize to recognize projects that explore local, state, or federal government policies and political leaders.

This year’s judges were very impressed with the submissions. Two outstanding projects earned top honors—each receiving a $100 prize.

Junior Division Winner: “Restoring Honor: NAGPRA Restoring Rights and Responsibilities to Native Graves” by Colton Nash and Maddox Astle, Timberline Middle School

This winning website examines the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990—the first and only U.S. law that explicitly protects Native American rights to reclaim and rebury ancestral remains and sacred objects. Thanks to NAGPRA, more than 38,500 remains and objects have been returned to Native tribes, helping to restore dignity, closure, and cultural respect.

Colton and Maddox’s project powerfully highlights the lasting legal and ethical impact of this legislation.

Senior Division Winner: “Nisei’s Rights and Responsibilities in World War II” by Acacia Yuan, Logan High School

Acacia Yuan’s documentary explores the experiences, roles, and contributions of Japanese Americans during World War II—particularly Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) who faced discrimination, internment, and a complex national identity.

“The heart of the project lay in the interviews: experts grounded the facts, but the survivors made them pulse with meaning,” Acacia wrote in their process paper. The judges agreed, citing powerful interviews with 100-year-old Nisei veteran Casey Kunimura, Floyd Mori of the Japanese American Citizens League, 90-year-old former Topaz Camp resident Yukio Shimomura, and author Gil Asakawa.

Congratulations to all the winners! We’re continually inspired by the next generation of historians and look forward to many more years of insightful, impactful projects through Utah History Day.