Thank you from Ruhi Rane NHDAZ student

Dear NHD AZ team,

 

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your support throughout my National History Day journey. It meant so much to me to have your encouragement and guidance as I worked on my project and had the opportunity to represent our state at Nationals.

 

Going to Nationals was an incredible experience that I will always cherish and remember. I learned so much, not just about history and research, but also about presenting my work, meeting students from around the country, and challenging myself to do my best. None of this would have been possible without the support of the state team.

 

Thank you for all the time, effort, and care you put into helping students like me succeed. I am truly grateful for everything you do.

 

Thank you again!

Sincerely,  Ruhi Rane 

Where was Ruhi Rane at award ceremonies? She gave an award-winning performance and received the Special Award in category Latino American History. Then NHD teacher Stacey Trepanier accepted her award.

Ruhi was off on another adventure . . . Speech and Debate Conference, Richmond, Virginia. One busy and talented girl!!

Title of her performance "Voices of the Vineyards: El Teatro Campesino and the Rise of the Farm Workers Movement".

Thank you from Ziv Shemen NHDAZ student

 Dear Arizona Historical League,

One of the biggest things National History Day taught me is that history isn’t just something you read in a textbook, it’s something that helps explain the world we live in today. Researching the atomic bomb showed me how a single scientific breakthrough can change the course of history and continue to influence global events decades later. 

Representing Arizona at the National History Day Contest with my teammate, Grahm Harding, and being awarded Arizona’s Junior Division Outstanding Entry was an unforgettable experience. (Ziv and Grahm had a State award-winning junior group website The Nuclear Chain Reaction: The Explosive Discovery That Changed the World. The Historical League is proud to support NHDAZ.)

Beyond the competition, I had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol, meet Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, and connect with students from around the world who share a passion for history. 

I’m incredibly thankful to the Historical League and the Arizona Historical Society for making these opportunities possible and for inspiring me to keep learning, asking questions, and sharing history with others.

Best,

Ziv Shemen

Grahm Harding and Ziv Shemen wearing their award ribbons
with NHDAZ co-ordinator Leonard Moody.

Ziv meeting Senator Mark Kelly and his staff

Kudos to AHS Education Team

 We salute the incredible AHS educators who took our NHDAZ students to the National competition. You inspired them, motivated them, organized their visit to our Nation's capital.

THANK YOU Leonard Moody, Emily Hahn, Holly Barnard, Taylor Kyle.

Your dedication to fostering a love of learning and creating a supportive environment has led to outstanding student growth.

The Historical League is a proud supporter of this National History Day program.

Emily Hahn, Holly Barnard, Taylor Kyle, Leonard Moody

Gene Rose Velasco, National History Day teacher at Dishchii’bikoh Community School

  Gene Rose Velasco is a dedicated educator, researcher, and author with a deep passion for the humanities and social sciences. Originally from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, she has built a distinguished career in teaching, research, and academic writing spanning over fifteen years, with a strong focus on social studies education.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education majoring in Social Studies from the University of St. La Salle, where she also served as a part-time instructor. She went on to complete her Master of Arts in Education specializing in Social Studies and recently earned her Master of Arts in Special Education, further strengthening her commitment to inclusive and responsive teaching. In addition, she has completed the academic requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and scholarly growth.

Throughout her career, Gene Rose has served as a Master Teacher in Senior High School, a college instructor, and a social studies educator across diverse educational settings. Her teaching journey includes meaningful work in indigenous schools in New Mexico and her current role at Dishchii’bikoh Community School, where she teaches middle school students with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to student development.

She is actively involved in National History Day (NHD)–sponsored research initiatives, guiding students in exploring the stories of war veterans, with a special emphasis on Indigenous heroes. Most recently, she successfully led her students to win at the Regional National History Day competition, earning them the opportunity to advance and compete at the state level.

As a mother of four, Gene Rose brings warmth, empathy, and understanding into her classroom. Her nurturing approach inspires students to see education not only as a path to personal success but also as a way to honor their heritage, history, and cultural identity.

Her academic contributions include presenting research at national and international conferences and publishing in respected platforms such as the University of St. La Salle College of Education Journal and the Philippine Sociological Society Annual National Conference.

Beyond academia, she is passionate about theater, public speaking, and research. As an author, her work reflects a profound appreciation for culture, history, and human development, aiming to educate and inspire through narratives that celebrate identity, resilience, and lifelong learning.