"What America 250 Means to Me" 2026 Essay Contest
The 917 Society invites 8th-grade students across all 50 states to participate in our 2026 Essay Contest, "What America 250 Means to Me." In this historic year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, we want to hear from the next generation of American citizens about what this milestone means to them.
Eligibility
Open to all current 8th-grade students in the United States - Students must be enrolled in a U.S. school (public, private, or charter) - One entry per student
Judging
Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria: - Understanding of the Constitution** (25%) — Does the essay demonstrate knowledge of constitutional rights and principles? - Connection to America's 250th Anniversary** (25%) — Does the student reflect thoughtfully on what this milestone means? - Originality & Voice** (25%) — Is the essay authentic and written in the student's own voice? - Writing Quality** (25%) — Is the essay clear, organized, and well-written?
Essay Guidelines
Topic: "What America 250 Means to Me" - Length: 300–500 words - Must be original, unpublished work written solely by the student - Essays must reference the U.S. Constitution and/or the rights it guarantees - No plagiarism — submitted essays may be checked for originality
Winner Announcement
Winners and honorable mentions will be announced in **early November 2026** and featured on the 917 Society website and social media channels. Winners will be contacted via their submitting teacher.
How to Enter
1. Student writes their essay (300–500 words) 2. Teacher reviews and selects their best entries 3. Teacher submits essays on behalf of students via email to **[contest@917society.org]** 4. Email subject line: **917 Essay Contest 2026 — [School Name] — [State]** 5. Include student's first name, last initial, grade, school name, and state with each submission *Note: To protect student privacy, do not include full last names or personal contact information.*
Prizes
To be announced — visit 917society.org/essay-contest-2026 for updates
Deadline
All submissions must be received by October 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
Rights & Permissions
By submitting an essay, the teacher confirms they have permission from the student and parent/guardian to submit. The 917 Society reserves the right to publish winning and honorable mention essays on our website and social media with the student's first name and state only.
For Teachers
A Historic Year Deserves to be Heard. In 2026, the United States turns 250 years old. The Constitution that has guided this nation for nearly two and a half centuries is still the law of the land and the next generation of Americans gets to decide what it means to them. ​
We want you to encourage your students to enter our 2026 Essay contest "What America 250 Means to Me".
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​Share this page with your students
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Collect essays and select your best entries
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Submit essays by email to contest@917society.org by October 1, 2026.
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Include first name, last initial, school name, and state for each student.
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Don't have free pocket Constitutions yet? ​
Student Inspiration
Here Are Some Ideas to Help You Get Started
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What does it mean to live in a country with a written Constitution?
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Which constitutional right matters most to you and why?
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How has America changed in 250 years and what has stayed the same?
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What does freedom mean to your generation?
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What do you hope America looks like when it turns 300?