To support the America 250-Mississippi Commission in their work to promote the historic and important 250-year milestone, the Mississippi Library Commission has designed a plan that honors the accomplishment through a patriotic literacy campaign. We are calling it “COME READ WITH US: Great Readers can become Great Leaders.” Of course, this is an endorsement of the Mississippi Department of Education’s “Strong Readers Strong Leaders” Program and the strides they are making towards improved literacy.
For more information, visit Help Mississippi Celebrate 250 Years of American History – America 250 – Mississippi
For an America 250 suggested reading list, visit our MLC Good Reads recommendations
A Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Student Competition:
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to address emerging local, state, and regional problems, driving innovation and the renewal of America in our nation’s Golden Age.
The Presidential AI Challenge seeks to inspire young people and educators to create AI-based innovative solutions to community challenges while fostering AI interest and competency. Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.
The Presidential AI Challenge will foster interest and expertise in AI technology in America’s youth. Early training in the responsible use of AI tools will demystify this technology and prepare America’s students to be confident participants in the AI-assisted workforce, propelling our Nation to new heights of scientific innovation and economic achievement.
Student participants will complete a project that involves the study, development, or use of an AI method or tool to address community challenges, while educators will focus on creative approaches to teaching or using AI technologies in K-12 learning.
For more information, visit https://www.ai.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge
America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
For more information, visit America’s Field Trip – America250
(America’s Field Trip contest for the 2025-2026 school year is AVAILABLE NOW!)
250 Student Winners! 3 Educator Winners!
Deadline: Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET.
★ Eligibility: Any student in grades 3–12 who is a legal resident of any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the five U.S. territories is eligible to enter. First- and second-prize awardees from the previous two America’s Field Trip contests are not eligible to enter or win.
★ Submission Requirements: Students at each grade level may create artwork, including physical artwork submitted through a high-res photo, a digital drawing, or a written response.
★ Judging Criteria: A panel of current and former educators will evaluate submissions based on:
Student Voice (50%), Clarity of Idea (25), and Presentation (25%)
★ Prizes: NEW! Award recipients will be notified in late April 2026.
– 125 first-place awardees and their designated chaperones will receive travel/lodging for a 3-day, 2-night trip to a select historical or cultural site in July-August 2026.
– 125 second-place awardees will receive $500 cash awards
– 3 educator awardees will each earn $1,000.
Congratulations to the 2025 Awardees! Two of the twenty-five first place and five of the twenty-five second place high school winners are Mississippians – see them here!
For more information, visit Promote the Vote | Michael Watson Secretary of State
Email: ptv@sos.ms.gov or logan.baker@sos.ms.gov or Call Logan: 601.359.3670
Submission Deadlines: December 5
Art Contest (Grades K-12)
Essay Contest (Grades 6-12)
Poetry Contest (Grades 6-12
Video Contest (Grades 9-12)
Submission Deadlines: December 14
Mock Election (Grades K-12)
Kindergarten – 12th Grade
“Writing About Nature: A Place I love.”
After all, like the old American folk song says,
“This land is your land; this land is my land… This land was made for you and me!”
- What is the most beautiful place in nature that you have ever been?
- What are your favorite flowers? Plants? Trees? Insects? Animals, besides pets? Sounds in nature? Colors in nature? Land formations — mountains, swamps fields, meadows, forests? Bodies of water?
- What is the happiest experience you have had in nature — hiking? Fishing? Taking photographs? Playing with a pet? Playing with friends? Having picnics with your family? Sleeping under a tree? Exploring? Just sitting quietly?
Submission Deadline: December 8, 2025
For more information, visit our Mississippi Poetry Project page.
A Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Student Competition:
VFW Auxiliary National Art Contest
Illustrating America
2025-2026
Download the Illustrating America Art Contest 25-26 PDF
VFW Auxiliary National is pleased to present this national art contest to introduce, encourage and recognize young artists with patriotism through art. Entries will be judged on patriotic themes and technique.
VFW Auxiliary National Level Awards
First place: $100 gift card
Second place: $50 gift card
Third place: $25 gift card
First place: $100 gift card
Second place: $50 gift card
Third place: $25 gift card
First place: $100 gift card
Second place: $50 gift card
Third place: $25 gift card
Contest Eligibility
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- Students do not have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate.
- Students in grades K-8 by March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
- Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent resident (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen.
To Review our list of Mississippi military veterans who are already included, or to nominate a veteran whose story you believe should be included, visit our MLC Veterans History Project
For more information, visit https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/america-250/the-american-revolution/
America250 Mississippi Grants
Grants Offered
Legacy Grants – Up to $20,000 to support larger projects that enhance a community’s capacity to explore and promote local history, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. Deadlines: Dec. 1, 2025 and Feb. 1, 2026.
Program Grants – up to $10,000 to support local celebrations of the semiquincentennial and public programs that explore the themes of Mississippi250. Deadlines: Sept. 15, 2025; Nov. 15, 2025; Jan. 15, 2026; March 15, 2026.
Minigrants – Up to $5,000 to provide accessible, flexible funding for small-scale, grassroots projects and local activities commemorating America250. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Sept. 15, 2025.
For More information, visit America250 Mississippi Grants – Mississippi Humanities Council
