Greenville County Schools invites students to celebrate America’s 250th birthday
September 26, 2026
Greenville County Schools is inviting every student from pre-K through 12th grade to take part in Celebrating America, a districtwide student showcase honoring the nation’s 250th birthday. The opportunity is open to students at schools throughout the Golden Strip, including those in Fountain Inn, Mauldin and Simpsonville.
Students may choose how they want to share their perspective on the country, with entries accepted in essay, poetry, artwork, photography, speech, song or dance. The district is encouraging participants to reflect on their own thoughts, experiences, hopes or gratitude for America. Suggested themes include the people, places, freedoms, opportunities, traditions, challenges and dreams that give the nation meaning.
Prize money will be awarded at the district level. Twenty-eight district finalists will each receive $50, and four overall district winners will each receive $100. District winners and their work will be honored during the Greenville County Schools America 250 Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Bank of Travelers Rest is sponsoring the Celebrating America program.
How to enter
Each student may submit only one entry. Students begin by choosing a format, creating their piece and completing the online Student Entry Form for their grade level. Separate forms are available for elementary, middle and high school students.
Students entering artwork or photography must also turn in their physical pieces to their teacher or school by Oct. 30. These students must complete both the digital entry form, which should include a link to a photo of the work, and a printed copy of the form. The printed form should be placed in a clear sheet protector and attached to the back of the piece with masking tape or a paper clip so judges can remove it. For three-dimensional pieces, the form may go on the bottom.
The back of each physical entry should list the category, grade division and the student’s last and first name. The district notes that a student’s name must not appear on the front of the work or anywhere visible during judging.
Students entering an essay, poem, speech, song or dance will submit the digital entry form with the title, their name and a working link to the written work or performance.
Photography, artwork, song and dance entries also require a typed artist statement. The statement should briefly describe how the piece connects to the Celebrating America theme, what it means and the creative decisions behind it.
Winners at the school level will move on to the district competition.
Entry rules
All work must be created specifically for this celebration and inspired by the Celebrating America theme. Each entry must be the original work of a single student, and group entries will not be accepted. Parents, teachers and classmates may not create the work or provide substantial help with it. Copyrighted material is generally not allowed except in limited cases where it is permitted and properly credited.
Entries must also comply with the district’s policy on student freedom of expression. Submissions may not contain obscene or slanderous material, damage anyone’s reputation, promote illegal activity or disrupt the school environment.
Student directions and grade-level entry forms are available on the Greenville County Schools website under the America 250 Student Celebration page. Families with questions may call the district InfoLine at 864-355-3100.
