Washburn Faculty, Staff and Alumni Champion History

     Topeka, Kan. — Middle school students from northeast Kansas shone at the 2026 National History Day competition June 14-18 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., with support from Washburn University faculty, staff and alumni who served as educators, mentors, judges and advocates throughout the yearlong process.

    From classroom instruction and district judging to state competition and national recognition, Washburn faculty, staff and alumni guide students through every stage of the Kansas History Day journey. Their mentorship reflects a decades-long commitment to historical scholarship and civic engagement across northeast Kansas.

    “For nearly 45 years, Washburn has supported History Day by bringing together faculty, staff, alumni, teachers and students in a shared commitment to historical inquiry,” said Dr. Kim Morse, professor of history, Washburn University and History Day District 3 competition coordinator. “The thoughtful feedback students receive from District 3 judges strengthens their projects and prepares them for success at the state and national levels. Many participants later become Ichabods who carry the research, communication and critical thinking skills they developed through History Day into their collegiate education, careers and communities.”

     About 200 northeast Kansas students from 10 middle and high schools participate in the annual District 3 competition hosted by Washburn. The 2026 National History Day theme, "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History," challenged students to explore how revolutions, reactions and reforms shaped communities throughout history.

     “The accomplishments of District 3 students reflect the strengths of our community schools. Washburn is proud to partner with schools and families across northeast Kansas,” said Dr. Kelly Erby, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of history, Washburn University. “Faculty, staff and alumni volunteer their time and expertise because they believe in the transformative power of history education. Together, we are preparing students to become good critical thinkers, lifelong learners and engaged citizens who will serve their communities in countless ways.”

     Learn more about Kansas History Day at kansashistoryday.org and National History Day at nhd.org. For more information about Washburn University’s History Department, visit washburn.edu/history.

     The following students from Shawnee County schools represented the district at the national competition:

First Round Participants

Category: Junior Paper

• Mina Wright, Topeka Collegiate, “The Butterfly Effect: How the Mirabal Sisters Transformed Resistance into Revolution,” Teacher: Hayley Smith, middle school social studies teacher and community engagement coordinator
• Easton Schmidtlein, Washburn Rural North Middle School, “More than Brick and Stone: A Revolution of Expansion,” Teacher: Lindsey Dowell, gifted facilitator

Category: Junior Individual Documentary

• Graham Figuerres, Washburn Rural Middle School, “Democracy Dies in Darkness: The Revolution of Investigative Journalism,” Teacher: Dowell

Category: Junior Group Documentary

• Michael Cuper, Quaid Karr and Rishik Sinha, Washburn Rural Middle School, “Beyond the Arc: How the Three-Point Line Revolutionized Basketball,” Teacher: Dowell

Category: Junior Individual Performance

• Falon Bremer, Topeka Collegiate, “Lighting the Path of Freedom: The Matchgirls Strike of 1888,” Teacher: Smith

Category: Junior Individual Exhibit

• Jack Rosenbaum, Washburn Rural Middle School, “The Revolution of Radioactivity,” Teacher: Dowell

Category: Junior Group Exhibit

• Anik Patel and John Gregory, Washburn Rural Middle School, “The Road to Reform: How Interstate Highways Revolutionized America,” Teacher: Dowell
• Arjun Mukkamala, Ashwin Mukkamala, Chance Perry and Jordan Ebenesar, Washburn Rural North Middle School, “Fatal Flaws: From Ruin to Revolution,” Teacher: Dowell

Category: Junior Individual Website

• Owen Mason, Seaman Middle School, “The Battle of Blair Mountain: When Revolution Sparked Reform in the Coalfields,” Teacher: Jeffrey “Jeff” Schuh, social studies teacher, 2013 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history with an emphasis in secondary education, from Topeka, Kan.
• Keaton Mengarelli, Seaman Middle School, “Breaking the Soil: How the Tractor Revolution Transformed American Farming,” Teacher: Schuh

Category: Junior Group Website

• Caleb Hidy, Grant Wade, Grayson Adams and Kaden Ewing, Seaman Middle School, “The Monongah Spark: Igniting the Fire for Mine Safety,” Teacher: Schuh.
• Kate Sloyer, Marley Brading and Tinsley Maycock, Seaman Middle School, “From ‘Skirted Soldiers’ to Permanent Soldiers: Revolutionizing Women’s Roles, Reacting to Resistance and Reforming the Armed Services,” Teacher: Schuh

Placed in the Top 10

Category: Junior Group Documentary

• Adilyn Brown, Bryanna Dowty and Tarryn Rhodes, Seaman Middle School, “A Camera as a Weapon: The Revolutionary Work of Lewis Hine,” Teacher: Schuh. The project also received the Junior State Award for Kansas.

Category: Junior Group Performance

• Lily Gross and Maya Cabrilo, Washburn Rural North Middle School, “All the World Loves a Baby,” Teacher: Dowell

     Washburn faculty, staff and alumni who served as District 3 competition judges in February 2026 included:

• Tony Silvestri, senior lecturer emeritus of history
• Janice Levi, assistant professor of history
• Stephen Woody, instructional librarian, 2014 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, from Rossville, Kan.
• Corey Zwikstra, associate professor and chair of the English Department
• Erin Chamberlain, assistant professor of English
• Scott Brackey, instructional librarian, 2015 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, from Topeka, Kan.
• Tom Prasch, professor and chair of history
• Jeanette Nobo, College of Arts & Sciences academic advisor, 1984 graduate with a master's degree in clinical psychology, from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
• Casey Woodward, 2004 and 2015 graduate with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a teaching license certificate, teaches social studies at Perry-Lecompton High School, from Topeka, Kan.
• Bethany Mowry, 2008 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, acquisitions editor at Indiana University Press, from Topeka, Kan.
• Katie Wade, 2017 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, graduate student at the University of Kansas, from Ottawa, Kan.
• John Livingston, 2006 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history with an emphasis in secondary education, teaches social studies at Robinson Middle School, from Topeka, Kan.
• Johnathan "John" Hart, nondegree-seeking student, entrepreneur and owner of four RV service centers in the Midwest, from Wakarusa, Kan.
• Cheyanne Colwell, 2023 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history education, teaches social studies at Washburn Rural North Middle School, from Topeka, Kan.
• Julia (Bond) Murray, 2008 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, research administrator for the New Mexico Consortium, from Mayetta, Kan.
• Nicholas "Nick" Murray, 2007 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, site manager of Manhattan Project National Historical Park, from Elizabeth, N.J.
• Jessie Revell, 2023 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history education, teaches social studies at Robinson Middle School, from Topeka, Kan.
• Britiany Robinson, 2019 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history with an emphasis in secondary education, teaches social studies at Highland Park High School, from Basehor, Kan.
• Hayden Beck, 2025 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history education, teaches social studies at Washburn Rural High School, from Topeka, Kan.

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     Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 8,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn's programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor's, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn's six primary academic units - the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Applied Studies, the Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, the Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing, the School of Law and Washburn Tech.

    All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech's McPherson Campus, Washburn Tech East or Washburn Tech North. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

For further information, contact:

Lacey Kinder
Content Specialist
Telephone: 785-670-2154
Cell: 785-845-1909
Email: lacey.kinder@washburn.edu