Essay Contest
Each year the Freedom Festival Essay Contest gives rise to expressions of patriotism from students in K-12th grades throughout the nation. This year’s theme focuses on the phrase “We hold these truths” from the Declaration of Independence. Submission deadline is March 1, 2026.
Details
- Date: Deadline is March 1
- Enter Contest Now
- Theme: "We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident"
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About the Essay Contest
Each year the Freedom Festival Essay Contest gives rise to expressions of patriotism from students in K-12th grades throughout the nation. …This year’s theme is “We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident,” as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the Declaration of Independence that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept or specific freedom that shaped our nation included in the Declaration of Independence. Submission deadline is March 1, 2026.
The phrase “We hold these truths” is one of the most powerful lines ever written in American history and it still speaks to us today. These words remind us that the ideas of freedom, equality, and human rights are not just for the past – they continue to shape who we are and what we believe in. Students should explore what those truths mean, how they have guided the nation, how it is relevant in their own life, and how people though history have worked to make them real for everyone.
Theme & Resource Helps
This year’s theme is “We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident” Students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals that shaped our nation as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this document this year. This may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept contained in the Declaration of Independence.
Theme Expansion Ideas:
- Endowed with Liberty: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Endowed by Their Creator: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- We Hold These Truths: Celebrating 250 Years of Civic Courage
- Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- A Foundation Built on Principles: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Consent of the Governed: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- When in the course of human events: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Instituting New Government With Its Foundation Built on Principles: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Voices of Independence: Then, Now, Future
All submissions must support the primary values of: God, Family, Freedom, and Country
Website Resources:
- Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution
- America 250 Utah (K-12 lesson plans)
- National Constitution Center
- Bill of Rights Institute
- Center for Civic Education
- Center for Constitutional Studies, Utah Valley University: constitution@uvu.edu
Contest Rules & Judging Criteria
Contest Rules
- The Freedom Festival Essay Contest is open to ALL Students in grades K-12, whether in traditional public schools, public chartered schools, private schools, or home schools.
- All entries must be received no later than March 1.
- All submitted essays must include a completed Contest Entry. No personal or identifying information may appear on the essay itself. (No names, grades, teachers’ names or school names on the essays.)
- Winners will be notified by email when judging is completed. Original essays will not be returned.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on a student’s exposition of the theme, depth of insight, writing skill, sincerity of tone, and provided personal examples. Essays must not exceed 900 words and may be type or hand written. A submitted essay must be the student’s own work.
How to Submit
Click here to complete entry form and submit essay.
Awards & Prizes
Grade 10-12: Win up to $1000.00
Grade 7-9: Win up to $500.00
Grade 4-6: Win up to $250.00
Grade K-3: Win up to $125.00
Educational Events Poster 2026
2026 Winners
Grades K-3
Freedom Award: Aria Ngo, Challenger School, San Jose, CA
Patriot Award: Mysha Nishar, Challenger School, Newark, CA
Liberty Award: Anaisha Vibhor, American Preparatory Academy, Draper, UT
Grades 4-6
Freedom Award: Ananya Naveen, Challenger School, San Jose, CA
Patriot Award: Anvay Patil, Challenger School, Sandy, UT
Liberty Award: Vidhan Kale, Challenger School, South Jordan, UT
Grades 7-9
Freedom Award: Sara Adibi, Episcopal Academy, Newton Square, PA
Patriot Award: Maryanne Mitchell, Homeschool, Bountiful, UT
Liberty Award: Olivia Wang, Challenger School, Salt Lake City, UT
Grades 10-12
Freedom Award Mario Canales III, Tomball High School, Tomball, TX
Patriot Award: Addie Isenbarger, Homeschool, Heber City, UT
Liberty Award: Eliza Hepworth, Believe Academy, Murray, UT