As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, Bethel Park School District is partnering with the Bethel Park Community Foundation to launch an essay contest celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial.
The contest invites Bethel Park students in grades K-12 to reflect on what makes America special. The competition is divided into three levels — high school, middle school and elementary school — with cash prizes awarded at each level. The high school winner will receive $500, while the top middle school and elementary school submissions will each earn $250.
Students may choose from various prompts listed below. While students may submit more than one essay, each entry must respond to a different prompt. The word-count guidelines for the essays are as follows:
- High School Contest (9-12): 200-800 words
- Middle School Contest (5-8): 100-400 words
- Elementary School Contest (K-4): 50-200 words
The submission deadline is May 1, 2026, and only Bethel Park School District students are eligible for prizes.
Winners will be recognized at the Bethel Park High School Awards Night on May 27, 2026.
The initiative was proposed by Bethel Park Community Foundation Vice President Andy Amrhein, who said the contest is intended to encourage students to reflect on the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence and to consider how those ideals continue to shape the nation, the state, and the Bethel Park community 250 years later.
America 250 Essay Prompts (Choose ONE of the following as your theme):
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HIGH SCHOOL CONTEST (GRADES 9-12):
- A Moment That Shaped America
Choose one event, decision, or movement from U.S. history and explain how it helped define the nation we know today. - Local History, National Impact
Explore how a local community, leader, or event contributed to the broader American story. This can be Bethel Park-specific or expanded to include Western Pennsylvanians or even Pennsylvanians as a whole. - A Letter to America on Its 250th Birthday
Write a reflective or persuasive letter addressing the nation—celebrating its strengths while offering hopes or advice for the future. - 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 - What Should Future Americans Remember About Us?
Imagine how historians in 2276 might describe the United States of today and what legacy current generations are leaving behind.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTEST (GRADES 5-8):
- One Moment That Changed America
Choose one important event in U.S. history. Explain what happened and how it helped shape the country we live in today. - From Our Community to the Country
Write about a person, place, or event from Bethel Park, Western Pennsylvania, or Pennsylvania that has made a difference. How does it connect to the larger American story? - Dear America…
Write a letter to the United States on its 250th birthday. Celebrate what makes America special and share your hopes for its future.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONTEST (GRADES K-4):
- Why I Love America
Draw a picture and write a few sentences about what you love most about America. - America’s Birthday Wish
America is turning 250 years old! What is one birthday wish you have for our country? Write a few sentences about your wish and why it is important.