Alliances That Sustain America
Honoring America250 through Student Diplomacy
SPAIN SALUTES FCPS & LANGLEY — DISCOVER STUDENT DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
Alliances That Sustain America
Honoring America250 through Student Diplomacy
“Two centuries apart, still united in keeping her flame alive.”
— Ryan Minton
Coming September 8, 2026
Continuing the educational mission of the Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest through a new America250 initiative developed in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.
Ryan Minton, founder and president of the Langley World Affairs Club, delivers remarks to the Embassy of Spain and Fairfax County Public Schools—the ninth-largest school system in the U.S.—about the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, a student-led initiative renewing an alliance forged at America’s founding. (September 6, 2025)
Alliances That Sustain America (FCPS Grades 7–12)
A Student Essay Contest for America250
In 2025, students across Fairfax County explored Spain's contribution to American independence through the inaugural Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest, developed in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Langley World Affairs Club is proud to continue that educational mission through a new initiative: Alliances That Sustain America.
This student-led essay contest invites Fairfax County Public Schools students in grades 7–12 to examine how international cooperation has helped shape and sustain the United States—from the alliances that supported independence to the partnerships that continue to influence the world today.
By participating, students will:
• Explore how international alliances influenced key moments in American history.
• Analyze how cooperation among nations helped sustain the United States across generations.
• Strengthen their skills in historical research, critical thinking, and writing.
• Reflect on the role of diplomacy and international engagement in a changing world.
Student winners will be invited to a formal recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., hosted in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, honoring exceptional student scholarship and the enduring role of international cooperation in the American story.
This initiative reflects the Langley World Affairs Club's mission to connect classrooms with the world and inspire students to lead through curiosity, scholarship, and collaboration.