Dragons in D.C.: Andersen Middle School student represents Guam at National History Day
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — Temidire Gbolade, a rising freshman at Guam High School who earned first place in the 2026 Guam History Day islandwide competition while an eighth-grade student at Andersen Middle School, represented Guam at National History Day in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Her award-winning documentary examined the 1949 Guam Congress Walkout, a landmark event in Guam's political history that helped pave the way for the Organic Act of Guam and the extension of U.S. citizenship to Guam residents in 1950. Through archival photographs, historical documents and narration, the project traced decades of efforts by Chamorro leaders and Guam residents to secure greater self-government and citizenship rights.
Temidire's first-place finish earned her a trip to the nation's capital sponsored by the Guam Society of History and Culture.
The competition brought together students from public, private and charter schools across Guam, with Temidire's documentary selected as the top entry in its category. Her research highlighted the persistence of Guam's leaders and residents in seeking citizenship and self-government, demonstrating how the 1949 Guam Congress Walkout became a turning point in the island's political development.
While attending National History Day, Temidire stayed on the University of Maryland campus and met fellow finalists from across the United States and its territories. She also attended the 2026 National History Day Parade and Awards Ceremony.
In addition to participating in National History Day events, she visited several historic landmarks and memorials, including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial. She also toured the U.S. House of Representatives with assistance from the office of Delegate James Moylan.
The experience provided Temidire an opportunity to deepen her understanding of both Guam and American history while representing her island and school on a national stage. Through her achievement, she demonstrated academic excellence, curiosity and Dragon pride while serving as an ambassador for Andersen Middle School and DoWEA.
As DoWEA students explore 250 years of American history through lessons focused on civics, government and historical inquiry, Temidire took her learning beyond the classroom by examining the history of the community where she lives and learns. Her project connected national ideals of citizenship and democratic participation with Guam's unique journey toward self-government, illustrating how local history contributes to the broader American story.
