Thank you from NHDAZ Anya Sridharan

 "It felt incredible to see our hours of hard work, dedication and effort pay off."

Anya Sridharan went to National History Day Nationals in June with "The Fight for Humanity: Terezin Ghetto". She and Jasmin Yap represented Willis Junior High and Arizona with this in-depth Group Exhibit on Nazi Germany and Czechoslovakia during WWII.

Anya's Thank you note to Cathy Shumard Cochair, Historical League Committee for Historical League was insightful. The Historical League is proud to support these industrious students.

Sent: Friday, July 3, 2026 05:56 PM

Subject: 2026 National History Day

Dear Ms. Shumard,

Thank you to you and the members of The Historical League for sponsoring my participation in National History Day.

It felt incredible to see our hours of hard work, dedication and effort pay off, and It was amazing to meet hundreds of kids from around the globe who are also passionate about history. I learned not only about my topic but also how to research, collaborate and persevere in the face of challenges.

Thank you again for your support and this amazing opportunity!

Sincerely,

Anya Sridharan

Anya Sridharan and Jasmin Yap

More National History Day photos East Valley contest

The students were rockin' all day at Chandler, U of A, East Valley contest. Judges, volunteers, parents, friends . . . it takes a village!

AHS Education team breakfast: Emily Hahn, Madison Kennedy, Holly Barnard, intern Claire Aprotosoaie-Kardos

Judging begins for 2026 National History Day projects

 Judges are so important to National History Day projects. Katie Tovar, Cathy Shumard and Diana and David Smith were busy with the 4th and 5th grade entries from Stacey Trepanier’s students at New Vistas Academy. 

Katie comments, "From this school activity, some students will move on to East Valley Regionals and the State contest. These were the youngest students in Individual Exhibits."

Historymaker Documentary for 2025 Turquoise & Treasures

Creating a documentary: Thanks to the knowledge of high  school junior, Thanvi Voruganti, 1992-2023 Arizona Historymakers have been recorded in a 20-minute documentary. Thanvi was the Curator. 

The documentary committee: Creative Director Ruth McLeod, Editors Cathy Shumard and Zona Lorig, AHS National History Day Coordinator Leonard Moody, AHS V.P. Education Dr. Kristen Rex, and NHD Advisor/Teacher Stacey Trepanier are grateful for her expertise. Ruth commented, “Thanvi was delightful to work with, clear grasp of the goals, creative and prompt in  her response to the project.

The documentary featured all Historymakers from 1992-2023. It was emailed to all 2025 Historymakers, Historymakers who came to the event and all attendees. 

https://www.youtube.com/@arizonahistoricalleague 

Thanvi posed with Eleanor Roosevelt while in Washington D.C. for National History Day competition

SWAG, SWAG and SWAG for NHD students

What's better than free stuff? T-shirts, zip hoodies, pins, lunch, cowboy hats . . . NHDAZ students have worked very hard and deserve the freebies as they are going to National Competition in Washington, D.C. in June. They will be strutting their new swag at the many gatherings that will take place. 

Thanks to Jennifer and Charles Sands for the lunch and zip hoodies at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, another sponsor for NHD. Thanks to the Historical League for sponsoring the NHD program all year providing funding for air travel, transportation for exhibits, special monetary awards for Arizona themes. volunteers at events and judges at competitions. 

Historical League volunteers Pam den Draak, Cathy Shumard,
NHD students Nathan Davies-Venn and Max Luo, Josie Pete, Ruth McLeod, Jolynn Clarke

Just my size!! Thanvi Vorguganti, and Dorothy Zhou

Mai Piel, Thanvi Vorguganti, and Dorothy Zhou are happy to get zip hoodies

Bags filled with swag are gladly received by the students

Historical League President Pam den Draak hands out checks for air travel and exhibit transportation

Cathy Shumard and Pam den Draak hand out checks to Max and Nathan for Arizona themes

Cowboy hats ready for each student to customize

Annual Recognition Luncheon at Phoenix Country Club

What a way to celebrate Historical League volunteers at the Annual Recognition Luncheon! Beautiful venue, beautiful day, beautiful program and volunteers with beautiful dedication to all things that are Arizona history including 139,000+ hours of volunteering this year promoting Arizona history and the Arizona Heritage Center programs.

The Historical League has the Annual Meeting every May, announcing the new Board of Directors for the next year and honoring those who have served. We are pleased to have Jolynn Clarke as the new President and these wonderful ladies chairing various committees for 2025-2026. 

Pam den Draak steps down as President, handing over the gavel to Jolynn Clarke for 2025-2026

Thanks to Anne Lupica for arranging Phoenix Country Club as the venue

Drumroll please . . . Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Chris Hackett! This is a new award and well-deserved by Chris. 

Carolyn Mendoza, Delores Tomasek

Vicki Lively, Mary McMahon, Cathy Shumard, Nina Filippi

Mary McMahon, Jan Murray, Linda Fritsch

Susan Dale, Emily Burns

Linda Fritsch, Mary McMahon, Pam den Draak, Jolynn Clarke, Norma Jean Coulter,
Nina Filippi, Anne Lupica

AZHC Education Director Emily Hahn

Pam den Draak, Vicki Lively, Mary McMahon, Lindy Isacksen, Nancy Evans, Nina Filippi

Joyce Bailey, Norma Jean Coulter with AHS Special Events Todd Bailey

Pam den Draak, Jolynn Clarke