America250 initiative conducting creative contest for students; deadline is April 16.
America250, the name for the nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026, has announced a nationwide student contest – America’s Field Trip – to get the next generation of citizens and leaders involved in the celebration.
Students are asked to submit physical or digital artwork – through a high-resolution photo – or a written piece in response to the prompt: “What does America mean to you?” Word counts vary between elementary, middle and high school categories. For each category, 25 first-place awardees and a chaperone will receive airfare and lodging for a three-day, two-night trip to a select U.S. historical or cultural site. Second-place awardees will receive a $500 cash award. The teacher associated with the top submissions in each category will receive a $1,000 cash award.
The America’s Field Trip home page includes resources such as “thought starters” and judging criteria. Under “Do’s and Don’ts” is the tip to not “feel you have to only address our country’s past – you can talk about America’s future too.” This is the second year for the contest; select 2024 awardees can be viewed here. America250 has stood up a calendar of events across the country; The American Legion is working with it on a number of initiatives.
- Youth