Student Contest: What America Means to Me
In recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) is proud to launch WILL’s “What America Means to Me” student contest, an initiative designed to encourage the next generation to engage and learn more about America’s founding principles.
Consistent with WILL’s mission to advance the public interest in the rule of law, individual liberty, constitutional government, and a robust civil society, this contest invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to reflect on the meaning of freedom in their own lives. This contest is open to all public, charter, private, and homeschool students who are citizens of the United States and reside in Wisconsin.
How To Enter
Participants must submit an original 30 – 60 second video responding to one the following prompt(s):
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“What does freedom mean to you, and why is it important for America’s future?”
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“What are America’s founding principles, and why do they still matter today?”
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“What makes America a place of opportunity, and how can you help keep it that way?”
Students should answer one of the above questions in their own words and may choose to include a personal example—such as a freedom they value, an opportunity they have because they live in a free country, or how freedom helps them learn, speak, believe, or pursue their goals.
Evaluation Criteria
To ensure fairness and transparency, submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Clarity of message
Does the student clearly address the prompt?
Conceptual understanding
Does the response show an age-appropriate understanding of freedom, civic ideas, and (when relevant) the founding principles of America?
Connection to experience or ideas
Does the student connect the prompt to a personal example, observation, or reflection?
Originality
Is the submission authentic and clearly the student’s own work?
Presentation
Is the video engaging, well-delivered, and within the time guidelines?
Prizes
To recognize outstanding entries, WILL will recognize the top three submissions with cash prizes:
First Place
$2,026
Second Place
$776
Third Place
$250
The winning 1st place student and guardian will receive a free ticket to WILL’s annual celebration dinner where the winner will be announced in front of our organization’s supporters.
Submit Your Entry
All entries must be the student’s original work. AI-generated videos are not permitted. A signed parent or guardian release is required for all participants, granting WILL permission to use submitted videos for educational, promotional, and public discourse purposes.
Parent/Guardian Release Requirement
To participate in the “What America Means to Me” student contest, a signed release form is required for all students. This grants the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) permission to use the submitted video for educational and promotional purposes.
Step 1: Download the Release
Please download and review the release form below. A parent or legal guardian must sign the document before it can be submitted.
Any issues with the online form you can email your submission to [email protected] with the suggested subject line “Contest Submission + Date”