Alliances That Sustain America
Exploring the Alliances Behind the American Story
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SPAIN SALUTES FCPS & LANGLEY — DISCOVER STUDENT DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
“Two centuries apart, still united in keeping her flame alive.”
— Ryan Minton
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
A Student Essay Contest for America250 | FCPS Grades 7–12
(Submission Deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET)
The Question
How has the relationship between Europe and the United States shaped the American story?
Choose a historical period, event, alliance, or area of cooperation between Europe and the United States. Examine its significance and consider how the relationship has evolved over time in response to changing circumstances, challenges, and opportunities.
Examine the evidence critically. Think independently. Develop your own conclusion.
Recognition
Student award recipients will receive a special invitation to the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, representing the EU’s 27 member states in Washington, D.C. Their achievements will be celebrated at a formal recognition event marking America’s 250th anniversary and the enduring partnership between Europe and the United States.
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.
Now, as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Langley World Affairs Club is building on that work through Alliances That Sustain America, a student-led initiative developed in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.
A Message from Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė to Fairfax County Students
Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
EU Ambassador Essay Contest Letter.pdfThat’s me holding the cake, celebrating my 17th birthday with my family this year. Just like you, I’m a student—still learning, asking questions, and getting help from the people around me. You don’t have to do this alone. — Ryan
Beginners Welcome.
Hello! I’m really glad you’re here.
If you’re thinking about entering but aren’t quite sure, I hope you’ll give it a try. This may be your first essay contest. You may not know much about the topic yet. You may not even know where to begin. That’s completely fine. Start wherever you are.
The six steps below are your path. You don’t have to figure out the whole contest at once. Just begin with Step 1. Each step will take you a little further, from understanding the question to submitting your essay.
And one thing I strongly encourage: don’t do this entirely on your own. Good researchers and writers ask questions, exchange ideas, and seek feedback on their work. You can too. Reach out to a teacher, parent or guardian, librarian, tutor, older student, an AI tool, or another source of help you trust. Show them this contest page. Ask them to help you think through your ideas, find reliable sources, or give you feedback as you write and revise.
If it’s helpful, you can simply ask them this:
“I’m entering a historical essay contest about how the relationship between Europe and the United States has shaped the American story. It is not a persuasive essay. I’m supposed to investigate the history, examine the evidence, and let my research lead me to my own conclusion. The thinking and final writing need to be mine, but getting help along the way is encouraged. Would you look at the contest page with me? I’d really appreciate your help choosing a topic, finding reliable sources, thinking through the evidence, and giving me feedback as I write and revise my essay.”
You’ve already taken the first step by coming here. Now start with Step 1, find something that interests you, and see where it takes you. I hope you’ll give it a shot.
And if you have any questions about the contest, feel free to reach out to me at ryanminton09@gmail.com or 1652877@fcpsschools.net.
— Ryan Minton
Founder & President, Langley World Affairs Club
How has the relationship between Europe and the United States shaped the American story?
Choose a historical period, event, alliance, or area of cooperation between Europe and the United States. Investigate what brought the two sides together, what challenged or changed their relationship, and why it mattered to the United States.
Use historical evidence to develop your analysis and reach your own conclusion.
Who Can Enter
Students in grades 7–12 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia.
Essay Length
Up to 650 words. The essay title, citations, and bibliography do not count toward the word limit.
Research & Sources
Use reliable sources to research your topic and develop your analysis. Include citations and a brief bibliography.
Original Work
Your thinking, conclusions, and final writing should be your own. Sources and ideas that are not your own must be properly acknowledged.
Generative AI
AI tools are increasingly part of how people learn, research, and write. When you use a tool such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, that’s okay. Just be transparent about which tool you used and how it helped you. Your thinking, conclusions, and final writing should still be your own.
The Bottom Line
Getting help is encouraged. Whether you’re working with someone or using AI, the thinking, conclusions, and final writing should be yours. Be transparent about the assistance you received and how you used it.
Start with a Plan
Choose your focus, conduct your research, and organize your ideas before you begin writing.
Be Analytical
Go beyond summarizing events. Examine what shaped the relationship, what challenged or changed it, and why it mattered to the United States.
Analyze—Don't Persuade
This is not a persuasive essay. Do not begin with a position you are trying to prove. Begin with the history, examine the evidence, and let your research lead you to your conclusion.
Use Evidence
Develop your analysis using specific historical evidence from reliable sources. Cite your sources and include a brief bibliography.
Write in Your Own Voice
Present your ideas clearly and in your own words. Your thinking, conclusions, and final writing should be your own.
Choose Your Title
Once your essay is finished and you’re happy with it, give it a title that reflects its focus and helps distinguish your work. Have your title ready when you submit your essay.
Submit Online
Complete the online submission form and submit your essay by Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Before You Submit
Make sure your essay is complete and up to 650 words. Your essay title, citations, and bibliography do not count toward the word limit. Be sure to include your citations and brief bibliography.
Submit Your Essay
Use the button below to open the submission form, where you will paste your essay and enter your sources.
Independent Review
Essays will be independently evaluated using a consistent scoring rubric.
Essays will be evaluated for:
Historical Understanding — Does the essay demonstrate an accurate understanding of its subject?
Analysis — Does it go beyond summarizing events to explain their significance to the Europe–United States relationship and the American story?
Use of Evidence — Does it use specific, reliable historical evidence to develop and support its analysis?
Organization — Are the ideas presented clearly and logically?
Clarity of Writing — Is the essay clear, focused, and effective in communicating the student's ideas and analysis?
Think Independently
There is no predetermined conclusion students are expected to reach. Essays should use historical evidence to develop and support a thoughtful, well-reasoned analysis.
Awards & Recognition
Students will compete within their own grade-level division, with three awards in each division:
Middle School (Grades 7–8):
🥇 First Place
🥈 Second Place
🥉 Third Place
High School (Grades 9–12):
🥇 First Place
🥈 Second Place
🥉 Third Place
Additional recognitions may be awarded to acknowledge noteworthy achievement, participation, or contributions to the initiative.
Results
All participants will receive an update after judging is complete, and award recipients will also be announced on the contest webpage.
Your Invitation to the European Union
Student award recipients will receive a special invitation to the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, representing the EU’s 27 member states in Washington, D.C. Their achievements will be celebrated at a formal recognition event marking America’s 250th anniversary and the enduring partnership between Europe and the United States.
Event date will be announced once finalized with the EU Delegation.
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