Over the weekend of April 12–13, 2025, 29 Riverview students traveled to the University of Scranton to present their projects at the National History Day State Finals. This is the second competitive step in the National History Day process, with these students earning the opportunity to present by placing at the regional finals in March at the Heinz History Center.
The students representing Riverview at the state level included sophomores Juliette Brun, Jaydon Dang, Miles Duncan, Ayden Fichte, Catie Hoolahan, Hannah Hudack, Blake Huffman, Noah Hunter, Cara Johnson, Connor Kmetz, Seeley Lippert, Aliyah Lookabaugh, Lilly Murphy, Ryland Ogrodowski, Max Orbin, Nick Penkrot, Oden Rebarchak, Miles Sigal, Sidney Vespi, and freshmen Elise Bear, Bianca Chen, Corina Cook, Allie Costa, Ava Iongi, Kirsten Levarse, Owen Orbich, Emily Streiff, Lily Valasek and Sophie Yahnke.
Students presented a variety of projects focused on historical topics related to the 2025 theme: Rights and Responsibilities in History. For the fifth consecutive year, Riverview students placed in the top two of their respective categories, earning spots at the National Finals, which will be held June 9–12 at the University of Maryland.
Congratulations to the following students advancing to Nationals:
Elise Bear, Corina Cook, and Emily Streiff – Second place in the Senior Group Exhibit category for “How One Wall Changed the Lives of German Women.”
Cara Johnson, Aliyah Lookabaugh, and Oden Rebarchak – Second place in the Senior Group Performance category for “Rights on Trial: How Witchcraft Impacted Rights and Responsibilities in Salem.”
Additional Riverview students who placed in the top six statewide include:
Seeley Lippert – Fourth place in the Senior Individual Performance category for “Stealing in Style: The Forty Elephants of London.”
Catie Hoolahan and Blake Huffman – Fifth place in the Senior Group Website category for “The Dayton Accords: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in Post-War Bosnia.”
Congratulations to all participating students and best of luck to Elise, Corina, Emily, Cara, Aliyah, and Oden at Nationals!