Queen Alliquippa Chapter NSDAR
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Junior American Citizen Art/Writing/Service Project Contest
Open to ALL GRADE LEVELS
Open to ALL students in Preschool through 12th grade, the Junior American Citizen contest features a topic for the year and various categories for entry on the theme. Entries are due to the Chapter Chair by the end of November each year. We hold an annual awards ceremony for students who win 1st place for their age and category, typically in May. Winners can go on to further judging at the State and National Level. Our chapter is pleased to have had many National Winners in this contest over the years. For full details on how to entry and entry guidelines please contact the chapter chair for the JAC committee here.
The Theme for the 2026-2027 School Year is: A Symbol of Independence: The Statue of Liberty Illuminating the Path to Freedom for 140 years
Contest Categories include:
ART Contests
Poster
Postage Stamp
Photo Essay
Banner (groups of 3 to 5 students)
Digital Art
Creative Expression Contests
Poem
Short Story
Graphic Novel/Comic
Service Project Contest
Can be an individual or group project and does not have to reflect the yearly theme.
American History Essay Contest - 5th to 8th Graders
The American History Essay Contest is open to ANY student in fifth through eighth grades in any of the area schools or homeschooled students. Our chapter chooses one overall winner for EACH grade level to send on to the state competition each year. Each grade level chapter winner will receive a special certificate and medal to honor their winning essay. Essays must be between 300-600 words in 5th grade and between 600-1,000 words for 6th through 8th grades.
Details for each essay topic are available at the start of the school year and essays are usually due in late November.
The 2026-2027 Essay Topic is:
TO BE ANNOUNCED
For more information on participating in the current American History Essay Contest, please contact the committee chair for more information.
American History Video Contest - 5th to 12th Graders
The American History Video Contest is open to ANY student in fifth through twelfth grades in any of the area schools or homeschooled students. Our chapter chooses one overall winner in each of the following categories: 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, and 1 winner for 9th-12th grades. Each grade level chapter winner will receive a special certificate and medal to honor their winning essay. Videos may be up to 3 minutes in length. The video must be the original work of the student and created by the student(s).
Details for each essay topic are available at the start of the school year and essays are usually due in late November.
The 2026-2027 Video Topics are:
5th-8th Grade: TO BE ANNOUNCED
9th-12th Grade: Select a figure from the American Revolution (1773-1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and the contribution that historic character made to the founding of a new nation. Your figure must have been an actual person – one who is well-known or an everyday man, woman, or child, who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small.
For more information on participating in the current American History Video Contest, please contact the committee chair for more information.
Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest - 9th - 12th Graders
The Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest is open to ANY student in ninth through twelfth grades in any of the area schools or homeschooled students. Our chapter chooses one overall winner from all entries to send on to the state competition each year. The chapter winner will receive a special certificate and medal to honor their winning essay. Essays must be between 800-1,200 words.
Details for each essay topic are available at the start of the school year and essays are usually due in late November.
The Topic for this Essay is:
Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and the contribution that historic character made to the founding of a new nation. Your figure must have been an actual person – one who is well-known or an everyday man, woman, or child, who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small.
For more information on participating in the current American History Essay Contest, please contact the committee chair for more information.