Whitehall District Schools very well-represented at 2026 National History Day nationals

Whitehall Middle School rising eighth-grader Kallie Sapp is presented an award during the National History Day national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

BY SCOTT DECAMP

Whitehall District Schools

Besides months of hard work and being a bold, inquisitive student, Kallie Sapp has a secret to her success after the rising Whitehall Middle School eighth-grader placed runner-up at last week’s National History Day nationals.

“Probably my coat rack. I have used that exact same coat rack through all three years that I've done this,” she said. “That is, like, my anchor through everything. And then, of course, Coach K – she is amazing.”

Coach K is Jan Klco, 22nd year head coach of the Whitehall District Schools NHD team – not to be confused with the other “Coach K”; aka, retired Hall of Fame Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. Both impactful in their own right.

Klco and four Whitehall students took part in NHD nationals June 14-18 at the University of Maryland in College Park. The students were among nearly 3,000 students in grades sixth through 12 taking part in the national contest from all over the U.S., its territories, and more than half a dozen other countries. Per Klco, half of 1 percent of the students that start the process advance to nationals.

Sapp placed second in the nation in Junior Individual Performance on the topic, “Prologue or Epilogue? How the Chernobyl Nuclear Explosion Revolutionized Modern Radiation Science.” 

Rising Whitehall High School junior Isabella Causie was Best in State for all Michigan competitors in the Senior Division and top 20 nationally for her individual website, “Buckle Up: The Seat Belt that Revolutionized Automobile Safety Standards.”

Rising WHS sophomores Anna George and Alexandra Risthouse attracted a lot of attention, according to Klco, with their group exhibit, “Lighting a Flame: Matchgirls Ignite a Revolution in Factory Conditions,” but did not place.

Whitehall High School rising junior Isabella Causie shows off the medal she received during the National History Day national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

It was a whirlwind experience for the group from Whitehall and an unforgettable one at that.

“Qualifying for National History Day nationals is incredibly rewarding because I know how much work it takes to get there,” Causie said. “After months of preparation through district and state competitions, hearing my name called makes all the late nights and hard work worth it. 

“This year was initially a bit of a struggle, but with the support of my parents, Coach Klco, and understanding friends, I stayed committed and was honored to become a national finalist. At nationals, they help calm my nerves and keep me focused so I can perform my best during my interview.”

Sapp, who was competing at nationals for the first time, earned a coveted silver medal and $500 in prize money.

When asked about the inspiration for her topic, Sapp said that she and her dad was watching a “Why Files” video about the Chernobyl reactor explosion on April 26, 1986, and she thought it would be interesting to research how people and animals reacted to the explosion.

According to Klco, after the NHD nationals closing ceremony one of the judges stopped Sapp on two different occasions and remarked how much she enjoyed her performance.

“Yeah, (her runner-up finish) was really surprising,” Sapp said. “The first performance that I had in the prelims I was pretty nervous for, but I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got this.’ And once I got in there, I kind of turned myself around (with) the props, and I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got this.’ 

“I just let it all go in the performance, but it was a huge thing to be able to move on to the second round in the finals and I was just mind-blown when I figured it out so it was just a really cool experience. If I got the chance, I would go again.”

Whitehall Middle School rising eighth-grader Kallie Sapp shows off the medal she received during the National History Day national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

Causie, a 4.0 student who keeps herself plenty busy with club soccer in the fall, speed skating in the winter, high school soccer in the spring, and other activities, completed her seventh year in NHD and fourth straight year at nationals.

Causie’s honorable mention entry traced the history of the three-point seat belt from its beginnings where it faced significant opposition to its status as an integral automotive safety device that played a major role in shaping modern auto safety standards.

Causie is eagerly anticipating year eight with Whitehall’s NHD team. She’s a very busy person but successfully balances everything.

“I’m used to balancing a lot throughout the year. I like staying busy and giving everything my full effort,” Causie said. “Outside of sports and clubs, I’m usually working on school projects or other commitments. I stay organized by prioritizing what needs to get done so everything is finished on time. During the school day, I focus on getting my assignments done so I can dedicate my time outside of school to NHD, practices, and everything else I’m involved in.”

This was year 41 of Klco’s involvement with National History Day. First, she was asked to serve as a judge for NHD in 1986. Her career history includes serving as a museum director in Southeast Michigan before her family moved to the west side of the state.

Whitehall NHD coach Jan Klco, far left, is pictured with students Alexandra Risthouse, Kallie Sapp, Isabella Causie, and Anna George during the National History Day national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

Klco wears many hats these days, including as Whitehall’s longtime NHD coach and substitute teacher in the district.

“Coach K impacts everyone by bringing constant energy that pushes us to improve every day,” Causie said. “She teaches us new skills while staying open to learning from us, too, which creates a strong, balanced team environment where everyone keeps growing.”

Klco said that NHD students learn how to conduct extensive research using primary and secondary sources.

If students are doing the following two things, then Klco feels as though she’s done her job as NHD coach.

“One thing I hope they learn is to not be afraid to go to the source, no matter who that source is,” Klco said. “If they have a question and they need to talk to the Vice President or a Supreme Court justice or the founder of Sesame Street or someone in charge of the heart/lung transplant program at Cleveland Clinic, go to the source. Don’t be afraid to ask. I’m always telling the kids the answer is always no unless you ask. Sometimes it’s still no, but we probably have close to a 90 percent success rate.

“The other thing is not only to accept constructive criticism but also to seek it.”

For example, Sapp sought out and was granted an interview with Bill Kurtis, who has hosted or produced numerous crime and news documentary shows. He served as longtime scorekeeper and announcer for NPR’s show “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” Klco said that Kurtis spoke with Sapp for about 45 minutes.

Klco also noted how many school district and community members supported the students in their endeavors, serving as practice judges, offering interviews, and contributing to the team financially.

According to Sapp, her public-speaking and presentation skills have really sharpened through the NHD experience.

“My English has gone crazy since I started (NHD). It's really just played like a big role in a lot of stuff,” she said.

“It was just all a great experience. National History Day is one of my favorite things to do because it just teaches you everything that you're going to use in life and it's college-level work, so when you have kids my age doing that stuff, it's got a big impact on us.”

Whitehall NHD team members, from left, Alexandra Risthouse, Anna George, Kallie Sapp, and Isabella Causie represented the school district well at the national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

Whitehall Middle School rising eighth-grader Kallie Sapp dresses up during the National History Day national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

Kallie Sapp, right, gets a hug from Whitehall NHD teammate Alexandra Risthouse during the national event June 14-18, 2026, at University of Maryland in College Park, Md.