FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – America’s Field Trip is a nationwide initiative encouraging students to reflect on what America means to them, with first-place awardees receiving special behind-the-scenes experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites.

Thousands of students across the country sent in inspiring submissions responding to the prompt “What does America mean to you?” Out of those submissions, 75 were named first-place awardees, and 75 were selected as second-place awardees, receiving a $500 cash award.

The first-place awardees from Alabama are Ava H., a 12th grader from Madison, and Jaid S., a ninth grader from Helena.

“What is America? Many would say that America is simply a number: the 333 million people within the country’s fifty states. This isn’t an incorrect response, but I believe America is more than just what appears on the surface; it is its past and present that truly define its meaning and path forward,” read the submission by Ava H.

For a full list of awardees and a selection of winning submissions, visit America250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.

Each first-place awardee will choose one of the following specially-curated experiences:

– Private tours of Boston Revolutionary War sites, including the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House and Bunker Hill Monument

– Behind-the-scenes tour of the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and sleepover at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, DC

– Exclusive visits to two Washington, DC, institutions: a trip into the National Archives Vault and private tour of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

– Exclusive tour of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia and visit to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC

– Walking tour of historic Lower Manhattan and a performance and opportunity to meet the company of “Hamilton” in New York City

– Storytelling, history and commemoration under the stars at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

– Private tours of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, the International African American Museum and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina

– Exclusive tours of the Alamo in San Antonio and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas

– Backstage tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio

– Beyond the ropes tour of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

– Guided visit to Angel Island Immigration Station and candlelight tour of Fort Point at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

– Private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming

– Ranger-led hikes and tours of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado

– Private tour of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

“America’s Field Trip is a transformative opportunity for students across the country to engage with our nation’s history in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Rosie Rios, chair of America250. “Our tentpole programs are intentionally designed to be hands-on, educational and engaging. America’s Field Trip truly brings the story of America to life and allows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to experience American history and national treasures up-close.”

Sen. Arthur Orr, chair of the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission, echoed Rios’s comments.

“We are incredibly proud of the two Alabama students selected as awardees in the national America’s field trip contest,” Orr said.

Rep. Kenneth Paschal, vice-chair of the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission, also congratulated the winners.

“Congratulations on winning first place in the Nationwide Scholastic America’s Field Trip Contest,” Paschal said. “I commend both of our Alabama winners for seizing the opportunity to participate in the America’s Field Trip contest by sharing their thoughts on ‘What does America mean to me?’”

America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. The group aims to inspire fellow Americans to reflect on their past, strengthen their love of country and renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage and unite citizens as a nation.

To learn more about America250, visit America250.org. To learn more about America250Alabama, visit America250AL.org.