Held in Philadelphia from July 19-25, 2026, the Young People’s Continental Congress brought together students and teachers from across the country in a study of America’s founding era and democratic ideals
COLLEGE PARK, MD – August 6, 2026 – National History Day® (NHD) and Carpenters’ Hall are proud to celebrate the 27 student-teacher teams who participated in the third Young People’s Continental Congress (YPCC), held in Philadelphia from July 19 to 25. Carpenters’ Hall, the home of the nation’s First Continental Congress in 1774, engaged National History Day as its lead educational partner to produce a one-of-a-kind program for students and teachers from across the United States and its territories.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, 27 teams, each consisting of one high school student and one teacher, traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the third YPCC. This year’s delegates represent diverse communities across the United States, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Department of Defense (DoDEA) schools in the Netherlands and Puerto Rico.
In preparation for the summer institute, student-teacher teams completed online learning modules throughout spring 2026 on the First Continental Congress and how our founding ideals evolved throughout U.S. history. Once in Philadelphia, teams experienced a week of special programming, including field learning opportunities at Carpenters’ Hall, Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. During sessions with lead historians and museum professionals, students and teachers participated in discussions about how the ideals of the founding era have continued to be debated and refined over the last 250 years.
Delegates then co-created and signed a joint declaration of their aspirations for American democracy, just as their historical counterparts issued the Declaration of Colonial Rights and the Declaration of Independence.
“Programs like the Young People’s Continental Congress are fundamental to fostering intergenerational dialogue and much-needed discussions of democratic aspirations from diverse perspectives,” said NHD Executive Director, Dr. Cathy Gorn. “This fantastic group of students and teachers is a reminder of hope for the future, that the next generation is eager to learn about our revolutionary history, reflect on its legacy, and become thoughtful, engaged citizens in the process.”
“It’s so inspiring to watch our young delegates step up to embrace their role as citizens and find their voices,” said Carpenters’ Hall Executive Director, Michael Norris. “This Declaration of Aspirations is also a powerful way for us to remind policymakers and elected officials that young people care deeply about this country and want to be involved in strengthening our democracy.”
Congratulations to the students and teacher teams who participated in the 2026 Young People’s Continental Congress:
American Samoa
Ms. Grace Alesana & Jaceyline Foketi Siliva
Manumalo Academy, Malaeimi
Arkansas
Mr. Randall Crawford & Ashley Luna Hernandez
Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School, Mabelvale
California
Ms. Aditi Doshi & Grey Doshi
Van Nuys High School, Tarzana / Taft Charter High School, Woodland Hills
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Ms. Elizabeth Basa & Cyrena Ada
Kagman High School, Saipan
Connecticut
Mr. John Smith-Horn & Suhani Kapil
Timothy Edwards Middle School / South Windsor High School, South Windsor
Delaware
Mrs. Emily Green & Sarah Mercer
Polytech High School, Woodside
Florida
Mrs. Sarah Smith & Giselle Agguire-Perea
Haines City Senior High School, Haines City
Georgia
Mrs. Bonnie Garvin & Jayden Wojcik
Jasper County High School, Monticello
Hawai’i
Mr. Jason Duncan & Ellie Takara
Mililani High School, Mililani
Illinois
Ms. Arlysha Bovan-Morrow & Janeen Mahmoud
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, Palos Hills
Indiana
Ms. Dawn Crowe and Layla Gregory
Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg
Iowa
Mrs. Carrie Baird-Forristall & Sanjana Payawala
Urbandale High School, Urbandale
Kansas
Mr. Jeffrey Schuh & Emmanuel Armstead
Seaman Middle School / Seaman High School, Topeka
Mississippi
Mr. Chuck Yarborough & Makayla Wrenn
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus
Missouri
Mr. Mack Williams & Jeremiah Bow
Sumner High School, St. Louis
Montana
Ms. Cynthia Wilondek & Caton Fought
Bigfork High School, Bigfork
Nebraska
Mrs. Kim Henry & Morgan Rademacher
Loup City High School, Loup City
The Netherlands
Ms. Casey Burkhardt & Sophia Wick
AFNORTH International School, Brunssum
New Mexico
Ms. Sheila Uy & Megan Zunie
Twin Buttes Cyber Academy, Zuni
North Carolina
Ms. Kitt Starnes & Lily Atwill
Isaac Bear Early College High School, Wilmington
Ohio
Mrs. Lauren Noble & Ruthie Cannon
Dominion Middle School / Whetstone High School, Columbus
Oregon
Mrs. Stefanie Spivey & Lita Nelson
Heppner Junior/Senior High School, Heppner
Pennsylvania
Mrs. Amanda Pagnotta & Bella Procopio
Burrell High School, Lower Burrell
Puerto Rico
Mr. Tim Proskauer & Natalia Acosta
Ramey Unit School, Aguadilla
Texas
Mrs. Kristen Shaver & Ascher Vicini
Hornedo Middle School / Franklin High School, El Paso
West Virginia
Mr. John Quesenberry & Kofi Ackon-Annan
Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley
Wisconsin
Ms. Jaclyn Jecha & Ella Hunley
New Berlin West Middle and High School, New Berlin
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About National History Day: NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. Established in 1974, NHD currently engages more than half a million students each year in conducting original research on historical topics of interest and supports teachers through professional development opportunities. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the annual National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by the Joyful Noise Charitable Foundation, The Better Angels Society, Bezos Family Foundation, Library of Congress, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Behring Global Educational Foundation, and the National Park Service. For more information, visit nhd.org.
About Carpenters’ Hall: A National Historic Landmark, Carpenters’ Hall was built in the early 1770s and hosted the First Continental Congress, one of the most significant events in the founding of our nation, in 1774. The Hall is located in Independence National Historical Park, though the building is privately owned and maintained by the nonprofit Carpenters’ Company. Founded in 1724, The Carpenters’ Company is the nation’s oldest continuously operating trade guild. Carpenters’ Hall receives around 100,000 visitors annually, and donations enable site maintenance and free admission. For more information, visit www.carpentershall.org.
About Young People’s Continental Congress: The Young People’s Continental Congress is a unique educational program that allows students and teachers to work in teams as they collaboratively study America’s founding era and its lasting implications today. After completing five virtual learning modules throughout spring 2026 with historians of the Revolutionary Era, the student-teacher teams will travel to Philadelphia in July for an exciting week of on-site learning opportunities across the city. Thanks to the generosity of YPCC’s donors, all student and teacher delegates participate in the program and travel free of charge, making YPCC accessible for every participant. YPCC is generously supported by the Philadelphia City Council through the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, William Penn Foundation, Albert M. Greenfield Foundation, Independence Foundation, Le Vine Foundation, Kimmel Family Foundation, Philadelphia Foundation, Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution Color Guard, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Philadelphia, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, America250 Foundation, Bergman Foundation, Connelly Foundation, Sylvia W. & Randle M. Kauders Foundation, Independence Historical Trust, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, AMTRAK, Founding Forward, WHYY, Amy Branch and Jeff Benoliel, Terry and Ann Marie Horner, Terry Graboyes, Marguerite Lenfest, John Medveckis, The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Kathy Sachs and Deborah Webster.
MEDIA CONTACTS: mary@nhd.org // DKCNHD@dkcnews.com
