Second Lady Usha Vance revealed the champions of a nationwide bookmark design contest that encouraged elementary and middle school students to depict their views on America in anticipation of its 250th birthday. The Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, conducted in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), honored three victors from entries across the U.S. Iris Zhang, a first-grader from Fremont, California, clinched the top spot in the kindergarten-through-second-grade category; Margaret McCaul, a third-grader from Jacksonville, Florida, won in the third-through-fifth-grade category; and Eden Pethel, an eighth-grader from Pendergrass, Georgia, triumphed in the sixth-through-eighth-grade category.
The competition tasked students with crafting hand-drawn bookmarks that delved into themes like American history and traditions, symbols of unity and democracy, community life, and aspirations for the nation’s future. Usha Vance expressed her delight in participating in this year’s bookmark design challenge as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. She highlighted the significant role of art in American history, emphasizing how it sparks the imagination, creativity, and patriotism of young individuals. Each submission eloquently portrayed America’s history through the lens of its youngest citizens and artists.
The winning designs were distinguished by their ingenuity, artistic prowess, and thoughtful exploration of America’s past, present, and future. The challenge was open to students in grades K-8 nationwide, aiming to inspire young artists to reflect on the nation’s history while envisioning its future. This initiative is part of a broader campaign to engage Americans of all ages in various activities leading up to the country’s semiquincentennial festivities.
NEA Chairman Mary Anne Carter commended the winners and participants for their imaginative contributions to this national celebration. These students underscored the crucial role of creativity in helping society comprehend its history, communities, and collective destiny. The victorious students will be honored at a special ceremony during the Great American State Fair, scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10.
The fair is one of many events slated to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Organizers have endeavored to engage schools, community groups, artists, and cultural institutions in festivities that spotlight the nation’s history, democratic principles, and civic engagement. The National Endowment for the Arts, an independent federal agency founded by Congress in 1965, champions artistic excellence, creativity, and public access to the arts nationwide through grants, partnerships, and national initiatives. The agency has collaborated with federal and community partners on multiple projects linked to the America 250 commemorations.
