Hoover Institution Launches National Student Competitions for America’s 250th Anniversary

Stanford, CA - As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Hoover Institution is launching a national series of competitions inviting multiple generations to engage with and reinterpret the ideas that shaped the nation. Through spoken word poetry, video content creation, and essay writing, Hoover is challenging students and the public to use this moment in the nation's history to do more than reflect on history. They are invited to bring America's founding ideals into the present and to imagine what comes next.

The first competition, The American Experiment in Your Words, a spoken word competition, opens today. High school and college students are invited to submit original spoken word performances of three minutes or less that explore the meaning and future of the American experiment. Submissions close June 1.

Winners in each division will receive $2,500 plus a trip to the Hoover Institution with travel and lodging expenses covered. One runner-up per division will also receive a $1,000 prize. Identical prizes will be awarded to one winner and one runner-up in each division of the other USA@250 contests.

Launching in early summer, the Creator Competition on the Spirit of '76 will call for short, visually compelling videos exploring how America's founding ideals of liberty and self-government resonate today. This contest will include both student and open (adult) divisions, expanding participation beyond the classroom.

In partnership with the Hoover History Lab, the essay contest, Rewriting 1776: A Revolution Without the Declaration, will challenge students to explore counterfactual scenarios surrounding American independence.

Additional details for the creator and essay competitions will be released upon their respective launches.

"The 250th anniversary of American independence is not just a moment for history lessons," said Hoover's Chief Creative Officer Shana Farley. "It's an opportunity to reinterpret and reimagine the ideals that have sustained our republic and to invite a new generation to take part in that work."

While Hoover encourages broad engagement with the legacy of the American founding, all three competitions are open to individuals residing in the United States.

Together, these competitions reflect the Hoover Institution's commitment to engaging students and the public, not only in reflection, but also in expression and dialogue around American history and the nation's future.

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