Six Barrington High Students Secure Spots at National History Day Nationals
Barrington, RI – Six students from Barrington High School emerged victorious at the state-level National History Day competition and will now compete in the national contest in Washington, D.C. next month. These promising young historians garnered first and second place awards at the state event held at CCRI on April 27, 2026.
This elite group includes Salma Riahi, Peyton Hillier, Xavier Barako, Jasper Case, John Merkel, and Heidi Raif. They led Barrington’s contingent of eight students who advanced from an independent history project hosted by their school’s History Club.
From Local Contestants to National Historians
Tracy Miller, Barrington High’s history teacher and History Club advisor, described National History Day as a “history science fair” where students produce projects fitting each year’s theme — this year focusing on “Revolution, Reaction, Reform”. Unlike many schools, Barrington High does not integrate NHD projects into regular coursework; participation thrives through independent student work via the History Club.
“National History Day allows students to dive deep into history creatively and critically, competing with peers nationwide,” Miller explained to the Barrington Times.
Salma Riahi, a junior and History Club president, won first place in the individual paper division for her work titled, “Electrified and Electrocuted: The Newport Folk Festival as a Site of Revolution, Reaction, and Reform.”
Jasper Case and John Merkel, both sophomores, secured first place in the group performance division with a dramatic portrayal called “The Significance of Bloody Sunday.”
Meanwhile, juniors Peyton Hillier and Xavier Barako earned second place in the group documentary category for their film “The Spark,” which highlights the 1772 Gaspee Affair.
Sophomore Heidi Raif took second place for her individual website project, “Jazz Age: The Harlem Renaissance,” while fellow sophomore Kehan Tian placed third for her website, “Fiscal Fortunes Family Futures: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in China’s Economically Driven Child Policies.”
National Competition Attracts Thousands
The upcoming national contest expects nearly 3,000 students from all 50 states plus territories and international schools to compete over a week-long period. This includes schools from the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Department of Defense schools abroad, and more, marking one of the largest student history events in the country.
As these Barrington students prepare for the national stage in Washington D.C., their achievements spotlight the power of independent historical research and creative projects. Their success also underscores the value of after-school clubs fostering academic excellence beyond classrooms.
With intense competition looming, Barrington High hopes these young historians will further distinguish themselves among the nation’s top students who engage history with passion and innovation.
The SC Journal will continue to follow the story as these students advance to nationals and represent their community on the biggest educational platform.
