Three First-Place Student Awardees from Mississippi, Wisconsin and New York Experienced an Unforgettable Weekend as Part of Nationwide Scholastic Contest
COLORADO – America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, kicked off the first of a series of unique experiences for the winners of the first-ever “America’s Field Trip” contest at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado last weekend. 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.
From July 12 to 14, first-place awardees Andrew C., a 12th grader from Mississippi; Ryan Z., a 5th grader from New York; and August B., a 6th grader from Wisconsin; and their parents spent a weekend camping, hiking, and horseback riding in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Photos and videos from the Field Trip are available HERE.
Left: August B. searches for pikas and marmots in the alpine tundra at Rocky Mountain National Park
Right: Andrew C. horseback riding through Rocky Mountain National Park
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 first and second awardees from 44 states and territories were selected by a panel of current and former educators. Below is more information on the three students who visited Rocky Mountain National Park and their submissions:
- Andrew C., 12th Grade, Corinth, Mississippi
- Ryan Z., 5th Grade, Rifton, New York
- August B., 6th Grade, Plover, Wisconsin
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.