SoCal History Bowl: RivCo Teams Earn Nat'l Championship Spots

MENIFEE, CA — Mt. San Jacinto College hosted high school students from across Southern California for an exciting day of historical competition and academic engagement at its High School History Competition and Open House on Saturday, February 8 at the Menifee Valley Campus, a spokesperson for the campus said.

Beaumont Middle College High School students held their own in the Southern California High School event, winning the History Bee's Varsity event, and Arcadia High School students won the divisional History Bowl at the event.

"The event featured a History Bee and Bowl competition, where students tested their historical knowledge individually in and as teams in the History Bowl," according to a news release from the event.

In 2025, 11 high school teams participated, showcasing their expertise and enthusiasm for history. The competition brought together students, faculty, and community members for a day of spirited academic challenge and engagement.

"In addition to the competition, the MSJC Outreach Department and History Department hosted informational booths, providing students with valuable insights into MSJC’s programs, resources, and opportunities. A student panel, coordinated by the History Department, offered participants a firsthand look at MSJC's academic and extracurricular experiences," they said.

Standout teams included Liberty High School, which advanced to the semifinals, demonstrating their impressive knowledge and teamwork.

At the same time, Beaumont Middle College reached the quarterfinals, making a strong showing in the tournament.

The divisional History Bowl Champions included:

• Varsity: Arcadia B HS
• Junior Varsity (JV): Corona Del Mar HS

The divisional History Bee Champions included:

• Varsity: Ethan Ustation, Beaumont Middle College HS
• Junior Varsity (JV): Elliot Reeves, Liberty HS

Nick Reaves, Mt. San Jacinto Ph.D., Associate Professor, and event organizer, spoke on the day and the contestants who showed their history prowess.

"Congratulations to all individuals and teams who qualified for the Varsity/Junior Varsity National
Championships and the International History Olympiad from all divisions. We are thrilled to host this competition and engage with high school students who are passionate about
history,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see the level of dedication and enthusiasm these students bring to the event, and we hope it encourages them to continue their academic pursuits.”

MSJC looks forward to continuing this tradition and fostering a love of history and learning among future generations of students. For more information about MSJC and upcoming events, visit www.msjc.edu.