(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – April 27, 2026) — El Paso ISD is celebrating a historic performance following the Texas History Day competition held April 9–12 at the University of Texas at Austin. After competing against the best young historians in the state, six El Paso ISD students have officially qualified for the National History Day Contest.
The district sent a delegation of 49 competitors to Austin, where they showcased months of rigorous research, primary source analysis, and creative storytelling. To qualify for the national stage, projects had to place first or second in their respective categories.
The following students have earned the honor of representing El Paso ISD and the state of Texas at the National History Day Contest in the Washington, D.C. area:
• Ethan Pan (Hornedo Middle School): 2nd Place, Individual Paper.
• Angel Tosh & Wanquing Cao (Hornedo Middle School): 2nd Place, Group Website. This team also received a Special Award for the Best WWII in the Pacific Project.
• Giuliana Williams, Abel Castenon, & Matthew Rodriguez (Andress High School): 2nd Place, Group Exhibit.
The success in Austin extended beyond the students. The Texas State Historical Society recognized two El Paso ISD educators for their exceptional mentorship:
• Kristen Shaver (Hornedo Middle School): Received the Rising Star Award.
• Jeanaline Cellis (Wiggs Middle School): Named the Texas History Day Teacher of the Year.
Additionally, the district celebrated several high-ranking finalists and special honors, including Ellie Smith (Hornedo MS), who earned the Best in Region Award, and multiple fourth-place finishers in the Documentary, Website, Performance, and Poster categories from El Paso High School, Coronado High School, Mesita Elementary, Hornedo Middle, and Wiggs Middle.
El Paso ISD remains committed to fostering a deep appreciation for history and critical thinking, ensuring our students are prepared to lead and innovate in the future.