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We keep Alamosa Citizen free because you deserve it. Our newsletters deliver the Valley right to your inbox.
We keep Alamosa Citizen free because you deserve it. Our newsletters deliver the Valley right to your inbox.
We keep Alamosa Citizen free because you deserve it. Our newsletters deliver the Valley right to your inbox.
Alamosa Citizen
News for Colorado's San Luis Valley
Sangre de Cristo National Heritage area awards $4,000 in scholarships to outstanding Student Historians
The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA) awarded $4,000 in scholarships to eight students whose projects brought local history to life during the 2025 Regional History Fair. This event took place at Adams State University and was hosted by the ASU Department of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish (HAPPSS).
The Regional History Fair serves as the first step in the nationwide National History Day competition. This year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History,” inspired students to explore stories rooted in the cultural heritage of the San Luis Valley.
Through extensive research, creative presentation and historical analysis, students submitted group and individual projects in five categories: documentary, paper, exhibit, performance, and website. Projects that focused on local traditions, people, and events were eligible for SdCNHA’s annual History Fair Scholarships.
This year’s impressive entries featured eight standout students for their exceptional work:
Daemin Baroz created a compelling website focused on The Maestas Case, one of the first school desegregation cases in the United States, which took place in Alamosa.
Tavin Sowards examined the environmental and personal impacts of the Summitville Mine Disaster, a topic that resonates with his family.
Samuel Malouff produced a documentary about the Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU), showcasing rare archival photos and providing insights into this historic fraternal organization.
Aubrey Sowards brought history to life with a dramatic performance on San Luis Valley water rights and responsibilities, representing multiple historical perspectives.
JT Salazar explored land grants in the San Luis Valley and the rights of the people through a website that connected local history to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Sylvia Daugherty created a powerful exhibit on Taylor vs. Lobato, detailing a landmark land rights case that still resonates with residents of Costilla County. Paisley Anderson and Lucy Brittain co-wrote and performed Flowing Through the History of Water Right in the San Luis Valley, a skit that emphasized the critical role of water rights in shaping the San Luis Valley’s identity and future.
“The depth of research and the personal connections students made to our region’s history were incredibly inspiring,” said a representative from SdCNHA. “Their work honors the legacy of our heritage and highlights how young people are helping preserve it for future generations.”
For more information on National History Day, visit https://nhd.org/en/.
To learn more about SdCNHA scholarships and field trip grants, visit https://www.sangreheritage.org/.
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