First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: elementary (grades 4-6), middle (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Homeschooled students are eligible to participate as well. 

• First place poster board winners will receive an iPad

• Second place winners will receive a $100 cash award

• Third place winners will receive a $75 cash award.

Poster Board Contest Guidelines

Eligible Materials:

• Display Board: Use a pre-scored tri-fold project display board or any board that can stand on its own.

• Dimensions: The board should measure 28" x 40" when open, or smaller.

Required Sections:

1. Title Section:

   • Include your name, grade, and school on the back of your board.

   • Name of Historical Figure: Clearly display the name of the person you are highlighting at the top of your poster.

   • Image: Include a large photo or hand-drawn image of the historical figure. It should be clear and visible from a distance.

2. Biography Section:

   • Provide a brief summary (3–5 sentences) about your figure, including:

     • Their name, birth date, and place of birth.

     • Key achievements or contributions that made them important in history.

3. Prompt Responses:

   • Prompt 1: How has this person challenged the status quo in our society?
     Write 2–3 sentences explaining how your historical figure influenced society. Did they challenge unfair laws, fight for equal rights, or break barriers in their field?

   • Prompt 2: How has this person inspired or influenced your own life?
     Write 2–3 sentences about how this figure’s story inspires you personally. What lessons have you learned from them?

   • Prompt 3 (High School Only): What have been the most important outcomes of this person's impact on society?
     Describe the lasting impact your figure had on society. How has their influence shaped the world today? 

Creative Elements:

• Design: Make your poster colorful and visually engaging. You can use borders, backgrounds, and symbols related to your figure’s contributions (e.g., peace signs, books, the American flag).

• Text: Keep your text clear and concise. Use bullet points to organize information for easy reading.

• Decorative Elements: Feel free to include quotes, important dates, or additional design elements to make your poster stand out.

Additional Guidelines:

• Neatness: Your poster should be neat, organized, and easy to read. Ensure the text is large enough to be visible from a distance.

• Materials: You may use markers, colored pencils, printed pictures, or other materials. Make sure all items are securely attached to the board so they won’t fall off.

• Originality: Be creative! The more effort you put into designing your poster, the more it will stand out.

Poster Board Contest Registration and Submission Details

• Each student must register for the contest in order to participate. Registered students are required to bring and display their poster boards at City Hall for judging on Saturday, February 21st. Students have the option to drop off their poster boards the evening before, on Friday, February 20th by 5PM.

• Students must be present during the judging window, as judges may ask questions about their work. The winners will be announced the same day in the City Hall Council Chambers.

• The deadline for all submissions is 5:00 PM on February 20, 2026. Once a poster is submitted, topics may not be revised or altered.

• Please note: Students who do not complete the registration process will not be eligible to participate in the contest.

2025 Topics

• Dr. Carter G. Woodson

• Mary McLeod Bethune

• W.E.B. Du Bois

• Ida B. Wells-Barnett

• John Hope Franklin

• Anna Julia Cooper

• Dorothy Porter Wesley

• Lonnie G. Bunch III

• Zora Neale Hurston

• Gordon Parks

• Jacob Lawrence

• Maya Angelou

• Martin Luther King Jr.

• Rosa Parks

• Ella Baker

• Thurgood Marshall

• Henry Louis Gates Jr.

• Oprah Winfrey

• Ta-Nehisi Coates

• Amanda Gorman