WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dave McCormick launched a statewide essay contest for Pennsylvania high school students tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, with winning entries set to be entered into the Congressional Record and winners invited to Washington.
The contest asks students to reflect either on Pennsylvania’s historical impact on the nation or on challenges the next generation may face as the United States approaches its 300th anniversary.
“This year, America turns 250 years old — and no state has shaped that story more than Pennsylvania,” McCormick said. “As we celebrate this milestone, I want to hear from the next generation of Pennsylvanians — about the people who built this country, and about what they themselves intend to build next.”
The competition is open to Pennsylvania students entering grades 9 through 12 during the 2026-27 school year and is divided into two grade-level categories: grades 9 and 10, and grades 11 and 12.
Students may choose from two writing prompts. The first asks participants to select a Pennsylvanian “from any era and any walk of life” whose story every American should know, and explain what that person’s life reveals about the country “at its best.”
The second prompt asks students to identify “the one challenge” the next generation must solve to make America stronger by its 300th anniversary and explain what they would do about it.
Essays must be between 600 and 800 words and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 4, 2026, to pa250@mccormick.senate.gov using the subject line “250th Essay — [Name, Grade, School, City].”
McCormick’s office indicated winners will be notified in late July. Winning essays, along with the students’ names, grades, and schools, will be made public, while runner-up submissions will remain private.
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