America 250 Student Celebration

In honor of America’s 250th Birthday, Greenville County Schools invites every student in grades Pre-K–12 to participate in a districtwide celebration.

There is no single right answer. Your entry should reflect your own thoughts, experiences, hopes, or appreciation for America. Think about the people, places, freedoms, opportunities, traditions, challenges, or dreams that make America meaningful to you.

Students can express their ideas through essay, poetry, artwork, photography, speech, song, or dance. Pre-K students may participate in the artwork or photography categories only.

Twenty-four District Finalists will receive $50, and the four overall District Winners will receive $100. District winners and their work will be recognized as part of Greenville County Schools' America 250 Celebration at Wade Hampton High School on Wednesday, February 17.

Be creative. Be thoughtful. Most importantly, be yourself. All work must be original and created by the student submitting the entry.

Appropriate Content

All entries must follow Greenville County Schools Policy JC regarding student freedom of expression. Student expression may not interfere with the rights of others and may not include obscene or slanderous material, defame character, advocate illegal conduct, or disrupt the school environment. Students are expected to treat others with respect and follow all applicable school procedures and behavior expectations.

Originality Requirements

• Work must be inspired by the theme Celebrating America.
• Work must be newly created for this celebration.
• Each entry must be the original work of one student. Group entries are not permitted.
• Parents, teachers, and other students may not create or substantially assist with the artistic work.
• Copyrighted material is generally prohibited unless allowed under limited circumstances and properly credited.

Artist Statement Requirement

Photography, artwork, song, and dance entries must include a completed Entry Form with a title and typed artist statement.

The artist statement should briefly explain how the work connects to the theme, the meaning behind the piece, and the student’s creative choices.

1. Decide how you would like to express your ideas for the Celebrating America theme.
2. Create your original work.
3. Submit your entry using the appropriate online Student Entry Form for your grade level. Students submitting artwork or photography must also share their physical entries with their teacher or school by October 30, 2026.
4. Make sure your work is labeled correctly using the instructions below.
5. For physical entries — artwork and photography — complete the digital Student Entry Form and include a link to a picture of your work. Make sure your first and last name, school name, and grade level are on the back of the artwork or photography. For 3-D artwork, this information may be placed on the bottom.
6. For digital or performance entries — speech, song, essay, poetry, and dance — complete the Student Entry Form and provide a working link to your presentation or written work.
7. School winners will advance to the district competition.

Physical Entries: Artwork and Photography

Complete the digital Student Entry Form, take a picture of the artwork or photograph, and include a link to the picture on the digital form. Artwork and photography participants must complete both a digital and hard copy of the entry form.

Label the back of the work with the category, grade division, and student’s last name and first name. Place the Student Entry Form in a clear sheet protector and attach it to the back using masking tape or a paper clip so it can be removed during judging. For 3-D entries, the form may be placed on the bottom.

Do not place the student’s name on the front of the entry or anywhere it can be seen during judging.

Digital Entries: Dance, Song, Essay, Poetry and Speech

Complete the digital Student Entry Form. Include the title, student’s name, artist statement when required, and a working link to the dance, song, essay, poetry, or speech.