Four First-Place Student Awardees from Alabama, Arizona, California, and Pennsylvania Experienced Unforgettable Visit as Part of Nationwide Scholastic Contest
BOSTON, MA – America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Semiquincentennial, hosted a unique experience in Boston for the winners of the first-ever “America’s Field Trip” contest on August 8. America’s Field Trip is a new, nationwide scholastic contest encouraging students to reflect on what America means to them, with first-place awardees taking part in special experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites.
During the day-long field trip, first-place awardees Mary H., Dorothy Z., Edward F., and Alyssa B. toured the Charleston Navy Yard, visiting the USS Constitution Museum and meeting active-duty Navy sailors to learn what life was like aboard a 19th-century sailing vessel. They also experienced a special tour of the World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young before embarking on a sunset cruise and tour of Spectacle Island.
Photos from the Field Trip are available HERE.
Above: Student awardees with Ranger Celene, Massachusetts 250 (MA250) representatives, and active-duty sailors at the USS Constitution Museum.
Below: Students and chaperones participating in a hands-on activity to create their own mini sailboats.
Photo Credit: America250
Earlier this year, thousands of students from states and territories across the country submitted inspiring entries in response to the prompt, “What does America mean to you?” for the inaugural America’s Field Trip contest.
Out of those submissions, 150 students from 44 states and territories were selected by a panel of current and former educators as first- and second-place awardees. Below is more information on the four students who visited Boston and their submissions:
- Mary H., 3rd Grade, Birmingham, Alabama
- Dorothy Z., 7th Grade, Chandler, Arizona
- Edward F., 5th Grade, Manhattan Beach, California
- Alyssa B., 5th Grade, Oreland, Pennsylvania
The full list of 2024 awardees and their submissions can be found online here: america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees. The contest will continue in 2025 and 2026, with next year’s contest launching this September.
America's Field Trip
Engaging students nationwide to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!
This contest invites students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.