Westmoreland’s America250PA Youth Contests–“What Does America Mean to Me?”

Westmoreland County America250PA Student Contest—Official Rules

“What Does America Mean to Me?”

Open to: Grades K–12 residing or attending school in Westmoreland County
Submission Window: February 1, – March 31, 2026 (5:00 P.M. EST)

Students are encouraged to also enter the National America250 Contest at America250.org

1. Contest Overview--To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Westmoreland County America250PA invites students of all ages to reflect on the theme: “What does America mean to me?”
   • Participants may enter through two creative formats based on grade level:

• • • Grades K– 12 --Poster: 8” x 10.5” Poster Contest (original artwork)
    • Grades 6–12 --Essay: 250-word Essay (individual submission)

2. Eligibility--Participants must:

• • Reside or go to school in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
  • Enter in the correct grade category (K–12). Contests are also open to remote learners and home-school students based on age equivalent grade-level.
  • Submit original, student-created work. No AI-generated work will be accepted or eligible for the contest.

3. Contest Categories & Requirements - Students May Submit Up To One Entry Per  Category

Grades K–12: Poster Contest Format Requirements Depict “What does America mean to me?” through creative imagery.

• • Size: 8” x 10.5”
  • Traditional art only: markers, crayons, paint, colored pencils
  • No traced images, clip art, AI-generated art, or copyrighted material

• • Students’ name and grade should NOT appear on front of the artwork.
  • The entry form must be completed and affixed to the back of the poster.

Grades 6–12: Essay Contest (250 Words or less)

 

• • Length: Maximum 250 words
  • Format: Typed, 12 pt. font and double spaced
  • Clear personal reflection on the theme
  • Original writing—no AI-generated writing, plagiarism, or copied content

• • Student’s name or grade level should NOT appear on the essay.
  • The entry form must be completed and affixed to the back of the essay.

4. How to Submit—Submissions will be accepted from: February 1 – March 31, 2026

• • Each school within Westmoreland County will be asked to submit all student submissions received for judging.
  • Parents of home schoolers should submit submissions directly. 
  • All entries must be received by March 31, 2026 (5:00 P.M. EST)

• • Entries should be submitted to: 

Dawn Lamuth
Westmoreland County Advisor America250PA
113 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658.

 

5. Judging - Entries will first be sorted by each grade level. Entries will then be judged by a panel of judges comprised of representatives chosen by the County of Westmoreland. The essays will be judged on content; clarity and coherence; creativity and imagination; grammar, spelling and compositional structure. Posters will be judged on content; clarity and coherence; creativity and imagination.

6. Prizes--Prizes awarded in each grade and each contest category:

• • 1st Place: $100
  • 2nd Place: $75
  • 3rd Place: $50

 All participants receive a digital Certificate of Recognition and a "Westmoreland HYPE Pass – Heritage Youth Pass Experience" for free museum access to participating local museums and historic sites in 2026 for students who show their voice, creativity, and resolve by entering the Westmoreland County America250PA Student Contest.

A public presentation for the winners will be held at the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners Public Meeting Scheduled for June 4, 2026, to be held at Historic Hanna’s Town.

Winners and Teachers will be notified.

7. Rules & Permissions

• • Entries must be the original work of the student.
  • Entries must be in accordance with Contest Theme and Section 3 (Contest Categories & Requirements)
  • Westmoreland County reserves the right to disqualify any submissions that are not the student’s original work, are AI-generated, contain inappropriate content, are plagiarized, or contain copyright or trademarked material.
  • Entries may be featured online, in exhibitions, or in future Westmoreland America250PA promotional materials.
  • By entering, students/entrants (if over 18) or parents/guardians of students/entrants under 18 grant Westmoreland County and Discover Westmoreland the right to use, reproduce, distribute and display the artwork for any purpose, including but not limited to projects and marketing purposes (website, social media and printed material) royalty-free. The use shall be perpetual and irrevocable. The student/entrant will be credited wherever reasonably possible.
  • The student/entrant (if over 18) or the parental/guardian of students/entrants under 18 consent to submit the entry.
  • The student/entrant (if over 18) or the parental/guardian of students/entrants under 18 is giving Westmoreland County/Discovery Westmoreland permission to publish the Applicant’s name in the list of winners.
  • By participating in the Contest both the student/entrant and the parent/legal guardian of students/entrants under 18 agree to be bound by and abide by Westmoreland County America250PA Student Contest—Official Rules.

8. Contact--For questions or assistance email dlamuth@golaurelhighlands.com

Thank you for joining us to show that before the Declaration, Westmoreland had Resolve ... and we still do!