Norris Middle School Student Brings History to Life in National SAR Contest

For Norris Middle School eighth grader Emery Peñaloza, a lifelong love of history has grown from childhood curiosity into statewide recognition. That passion recently earned him first place in the California Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Video Contest — and a chance to compete at the national level.

Last August, Peñaloza learned about the Contest from Zack Safi, a Coordinator with KCSOS, who encouraged him to participate.

“I knew Emery would be the ideal candidate for this project and a strong contender to win,” said Safi. “His passion for history, talent for creating compelling documentaries, and overall dedication make him truly exceptional.”

The annual competition invites students in grades 6-12 to create a three-to-five minute video about a person, battle, document, or event connected to the American Revolution, supported by at least three research sources. 

What began as a suggestion quickly became something more.

In January, Peñaloza learned he had won at the county level. Just ten days later, he earned the state title — an achievement that exceeded even his own expectations. Now Peñaloza has a chance to compete in the national competition, opportunity that feels deeply personal.

“I have a great happiness inside myself,” Peñaloza said. “I have always been a huge history buff.”

Peñaloza began collecting historical artifacts at just two years old, turning childhood curiosity into a growing collection. So when it came time to choose a topic for his video, the decision felt almost instinctive.

“I thought Paul Revere’s ride and the other riders were a significant part of history,” said Peñaloza. “I think if it weren’t for them there wouldn’t have been much of a fight at Concord since they warned the colonists British soldiers were coming and allowed the colonists time to prepare.”

But Peñaloza didn’t just research the famous midnight ride, he recreated it.

Using skills he developed as a child making home videos with siblings and friends, he wrote, filmed, and edited his project himself using programs like CapCut and iMovie. Peñaloza crafted handmade paper figurines of Paul Revere and the other riders, then built a miniature town to stage battle scenes.

“That was my favorite part,” Peñaloza said. “Setting up the town fights was difficult, but it was really fun.”

Research brought its own challenges. Because cameras did not exist in the 18th century, finding compelling visual scenes required both research and creativity. To ensure historical accuracy while respecting copyright guidelines, Peñaloza incorporated public reenactments, including resources from reputable sources like PBS, alongside his own original footage and handmade models.

Along the way, he uncovered lesser-known details that challenged popular myths and deepened his understanding of the event.

One discovery stood out. Contrary to popular belief, Paul Revere did not ride alone, nor did he shout, “The British are coming.” In reality, Revere rode alongside other patriots and traveled discreetly to avoid detection, and at the time, the colonists still considered themselves British.

Learning the full story gave Peñaloza a greater sense of responsibility to portray the event with accuracy and care.

Throughout the process, Peñaloza had steady encouragement from his former history teacher, Blake Thompson, who cheered him on from start to finish.

“Emery has always been an exemplary student, not only completing his work but demonstrating a genuine passion for history that has led to accomplishments like this,” Thompson said. “I’m so honored and inspired to have been part of his journey, and I know he will go super far.”

Peñaloza’s mother, Lora, said she could see his enthusiasm shine through. 

“I am very proud of Emery. He has such a passion for history and you can feel that when you watch his video.”

That passion is exactly what Peñaloza hopes other students bring to the competition. Peñaloza encourages future contestants to approach the competition differently than a typical assignment. 

“Don’t treat it like a school project,” he said. “If you treat it like something you enjoy, you’ll do better because you actually care about it.”

Peñaloza with 7th Grade History teacher, Blake Thompson.