America 250 - 6th-8th

Middle School: Students can provide either an art piece or a written piece. Top 3 school entries advance to district.

- Art submissions will include a 3-5 sentence description of your artwork.
- Written essays should be 250–500 words.

Prompts-

The Declaration of Independence promises "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." What does liberty mean to your generation today?

Prompt 2: E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One)
America’s identity is shaped by millions of unique voices, cultures, and perspectives coming together. Explore how diverse voices strengthen our democracy and help us live up to the promise that "all people are created equal."
Prompt 3: The Ultimate "Breakup Letter"
The Declaration of Independence was essentially a letter telling King George III why the colonies were breaking away. Draw/write and/or write about why the colonists felt they had no choice left but to leave the King's rule and govern themselves. But turn it into a Break Up Letter.
Prompt 4: Defending an Idea, Not a King
In many countries long ago, soldiers fought to protect a king or queen. In America, our military serves to protect our freedom and human rights. Explain or depict what it means for our military to “support and defend the Constitution” rather than a royal ruler.
Prompt 5: Voices Left Out of the Founding Story
Discuss whose perspectives were missing in 1776 and how those voices have reshaped the nation over the last 250 years.
Prompt 6: Life, Liberty, and the 2026 Remix

Rewrite the Declaration of Independence in modern text.