27 First-Place Student Awardees from Across the Country Experienced Unforgettable Visit as Part of Nationwide Scholastic Contest
Bozeman, Montana – America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Semiquincentennial, hosted three unique experiences in Yellowstone National Park for awardees of the first-ever “America’s Field Trip” contest August 19 – 24. 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.
As part of the multi-day field trips, the students in grades 3-12 and their guardians embarked on early-morning wildlife expeditions where they tracked wolves and observed bison, elk, and birds. They also hiked the world-famous Geyser Basin — home to Old Faithful — and learned about this unique ecosystem and its place in American history and culture.
More photos from the Field Trip are available HERE and b-roll footage HERE.
Above: High school students and their chaperones at the entrance of Yellowstone.
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 27 students who visited Yellowstone and their submissions:
Rayyan A., 9th Grade, Sarasota, Florida
Audrey B., 5th Grade, New Paltz, New York
Aaliyah V., 9th Grade, Lake Mary, Florida
Gwen W., 5th Grade, Rifton, New York
Itamar J., 5th Grade, Coral Springs, Florida
Kendyl C., 5th Grade, Kingston, New York
Elia G., 9th Grade, Chicago, Illinois
Gabriel D., 5th Grade, Kerhonkson, New York
Maysen W., 5th Grade, Adel, Iowa
Olivia F., 10th Grade, Brooklyn, New York
Silas R., 10th Grade, Mount Airy, Maryland
Anna S., 12th Grade, Glenpool, Oklahoma
Peony K., 10th Grade, Sykesville, Maryland
Alyssa Y., 6th Grade, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Camila S., 7th Grade, Allen Park, Michigan
Margaret F., 8th Grade, Chester, Pennsylvania
Kadidiatou L., 12th Grade, Newark, New Jersey
Lydia Z., 3rd Grade, Weatherly, Pennsylvania
Lulin L., 3rd Grade, Bridgewater, New Jersey
Kiran Miles B., 4th Grade, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Jace T., 6th Grade, Newark, New Jersey
Fiona M., 5th Grade, Alexandria, Virginia
Malay G., 7th Grade, Edison, New Jersey
Evelyn M., 8th Grade, Williamsburg, Virginia
McKenna H., 6th Grade, Rifton, New York
James C., 5th Grade, Alexandria, Virginia
Shrikar P., 7th Grade, Scarsdale, New York
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.