United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
03/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/26/2026 14:02
Fourth Circuit 2026 Civics Contest Now Open to Students in Grades 9-12
In 2026, our country commemorates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence-a document which declared that "all men are created equal" and endowed with the "unalienable rights" to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." These words sparked a revolution and created a nation grounded in the rule of law. Today, the judiciary works to protect the rights outlined in the Declaration and to ensure that its foundational principles continue to guide our nation.
Your Truths: Create an original graphic poster and a written description that conveys what the Declaration's founding principles and the rule of law mean to you.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is pleased to announce that the 2026 civics contest is now open to all students currently in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Students are invited to create an original graphic poster with a written description sharing their perspective on the theme: What do the Declaration's founding principles and the rule of law mean to you?
Students have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes: first place, $1,000; second place, $750; and third place, $500.
Deadline: Entry form and graphic poster must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Winners will be announced in August, and a Constitution Day Program will be held in September. Winning and other selected entries will be displayed on the Courts4Civics website and in the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. courthouse or other courthouse.
For additional information, questions to consider, and instructions on how to submit your graphic poster and written statement, visitwww.ca4.uscourts.gov/civics-contest.
For questions, contact the Fourth Circuit Clerk's Office at [email protected] or (804) 916-2715.
Please note: Prior winners of any Fourth Circuit-sponsored contest as well as children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and members of the household of a federal judge or federal judiciary employee may not participate in the competition.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit published this content on March 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 26, 2026 at 20:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]