America250

Voices of UnityAmerica 250 Student Contest

America is not a finished story. It is a living promise, one inherited by every generation, renewed daily through people, culture, creativity and community. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Miami Dade College invites students to step into that story with Voices of Unity, a multidisciplinary creative contest rooted in history, unity and the enduring ideals that have shaped and continue to shape this country.

Through three creative categories; Writing, Static Design and Animation/Video. Students will interpret the words, ideals and spirit of American History. This is not an exercise in memorizing history. It is an invitation to claim it, to hold it up to the light of 2026 and to show what it means to be part of this ongoing American story.

Voices of Unity centers the lived experience of MDC’s student community — the future of our nation and essential voices in America’s 250-year conversation.

All currently enrolled Miami Dade College students are eligible to participate. Submissions must be made electronically (no physical submissions accepted) by April 30, 2026 (midnight). Entries will be judged by the Faculty Ambassadors of America250. There are a total of nine awards, with three winners in each category (1st, 2nd and 3rd place). Prizes range from America250 swag to big-ticket goodies. By submitting, students grant Miami Dade College a non-exclusive license to display, reproduce and share their work in connection with America250 programming, exhibitions and promotional materials, with full attribution to the student artist.

AI Use: You may use AI as long as you are fully transparent about it. Your submission must still be your own analytical, interpretive and imaginative work. If you use AI in any way (brainstorming, outlining, editing, generating ideas, etc.), you must state clearly at the end of your entry how you used it. Undisclosed AI use will automatically disqualify the entry. AI cannot replace your personal voice, creativity, or original contribution. Please add this required disclosure at the end of your submission description: "I used [AI tool name] for [brief description: brainstorming, grammar check, etc.] All ideas and final writing are my own."

Submission Categories

Literary ContestPoem, Short Letter, Postcard Prose

The Declaration of Independence was written by people, for the people, about what it means to be human and free. This category invites students to write back. Not as historians. Not as academics — as inheritors.

Students will address the signers of the Declaration directly, telling them what has been built from their blueprint, what unity means for us today and what it means to carry it forward from Miami in 2026. Every submission should be formatted as a designed postcard or short letter. The front features original visual imagery and the back carries the written piece alongside the inscription “From: Miami, 2026.”

This category is open to three forms of writing. All three ask the same thing: speak directly to history and tell it what you see from here.

Overall Literary Format:
Designed postcard or short letter
  • Front: visual imagery
  • Back: written piece + “From: Miami, 2026”
Writing Formats — choose one:
  • Poem: 16–30 lines of original poetry. Any form or structure. The poem is addressed to the Founders and formatted on the back of a designed 6" × 4" postcard.
    • Your poem must meaningfully engage at least one U.S. founding ideal, such as: liberty, equality, democracy, rights, justice, or representation.
    • The ideal should be explored with depth, nuance and interpretation, not simply named.
    • Your poem should also:
      • use vivid imagery, sensory detail and poetic devices (e.g., metaphor, symbolism)
      • show a distinct, original voice
      • present a coherent progression of ideas or emotions
      • maintain clear mechanics and meet all formatting requirements

  • Postcard Prose: 100–150 words of original prose. A brief, personal narrative written directly to the Founders, formatted on the back of a designed 6" × 4" postcard. Brevity is the craft — every word counts.
    • Your writing must engage with one or more U.S. founding ideals, such as: liberty, equality, democracy, rights, civic responsibility.
    • Your submission should:
      • use strong imagery and sensory detail
      • focus on a single moment, message, or emotional impression
      • maintain a clear narrative or reflective through-line
      • show concise, intentional language and voice
      • follow postcard style and maintain polished mechanics

  • Short Letter: 200–250 words of original prose. A personal narrative in letter form, addressed to a specific audience — this can be someone real or imagined, such as:
    • a friend
    • your future self
    • a historical figure
    • your community
    • the nation

    Your letter must meaningfully explore at least one U.S. founding ideal, such as: liberty, equality, democracy, rights, or civic responsibility.

    The ideal should appear with thoughtfulness and interpretation, not just be mentioned.

    Your letter should:
    • show awareness of your audience through tone and structure
    • express a clear message with coherent flow
    • use purposeful language and authentic voice
    • meet the full word-count and maintain clear mechanics
Deliverable:
High-resolution PDF, JPG or PNG showing both sides
Judging Criteria:

Total possible score: 20 points (5 categories × 4 points each).

Original Poem Rubric

  • Founding Ideal
  • Poetic Craft
  • Structure & Flow
  • Voice & Originality
  • Requirements

Postcard Prose Rubric

  • Engagement with Founding Ideal
  • Imagery
  • Narrative/Emotional Focus
  • Language & Voice
  • Format & Mechanics

Short Letter Rubric

  • Engagement with Founding Ideal
  • Audience Awareness
  • Development & Coherence
  • Language & Voice
  • Mechanics & Requirements

Static DesignPoster or Postcard

The words of the Declaration of Independence were written to be more than read, they were written to be felt, debated and carried into the future. This category challenges students to make those words visible in a new way, rooted in the city they know.

Students will choose one word or phrase from the Declaration of Independence such as; Liberty, Justice, Equality, or the pursuit of Happiness, and translate it into a bold, exhibition-ready poster that connects that founding principle to Miami’s environment, culture and lived experience. Using illustration, photography, collage, graphic design, typography, or mixed media, each piece should feel contemporary and expressive.

The Miami connection is essential. Every submission should reflect the city's neighborhoods, architecture, traditions and/or its people. The Declaration belongs to Miami as much as it belongs to Philadelphia in 1776, and this category makes that visible.

Size:
18” × 24” (portrait or landscape)
Resolution:
300 DPI, RGB color mode
Deliverable:
High-resolution PDF or JPG
Declaration themes to choose from:
  • Single words: Liberty, Justice, Equality, Safety, Happiness, Rights, Freedom, Truth
  • Phrases: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” “All men are created equal,” “We hold these truths to be self- evident,” “A more perfect Union”
Judging Criteria:

Total possible score: 20 points (4 categories × 4 points each).

  • Clarity of Message: How easily can viewers identify and understand the central message of the design?
    • Ranges from "instant, powerful, unmistakable" to "confusing or unrelated" depending on execution.
  • Visual Impact: Does the design grab attention and create a strong, memorable impression?
    • Includes use of contrast, imagery and overall appeal.
  • Typography & Color: Are the font choices and color palette effective, readable and suitable for the mood/theme?
    • Evaluated from "perfectly enhances the theme" to "poor or distracting."
  • Layout & Composition:How well are design elements arranged, balanced and organized on the 18" × 24" canvas?
    • Assessed from "professional balance" to "disorganized or messy."

Short Film — Animation or Video15–25 seconds

The ideals of the Declaration of Independence are not only spoken, but they are also enacted, every day, in the streets, classrooms, businesses and communities of Miami. This category asks students to find them there and bring them to the screen.

Students will create a short-form vertical video of 15 to 25 seconds that documents one Declaration principle in action through authentic observation of Miami life. The chosen word or phrase — “liberty,” “justice,” “equality,” “resilience,” or “the pursuit of happiness “— should appear as on-screen text and the video should be paired with music or ambient sound. Shot in social media reel format (9:16), the work will feel immediate, real and shareable.

Authenticity is valued over production value. The goal is not a polished commercial; it is a genuine moment captured from the city, extended beyond the exhibition space and into the digital public square. This category produces content that carries the contest’s message outward, long after April 22.

Length:
15–25 seconds
Orientation:
Vertical, 9:16 — social media reel format
Deliverable:
YouTube link You can turn a video file into a YouTube link by signing in to YouTube, uploading your video through the Create → Upload Video option, adding your basic details, choosing the visibility setting, and publishing it. Once it’s published, YouTube automatically provides a shareable link you can copy and use anywhere.
Content Requirements:

Your film must include:

  1. One Declaration word or phrase (on-screen text)
    • Choose from the provided list of Declaration-related words or phrases.
  2. An authentic moment from Miami life
    • Footage should feel authentic and observational — something genuinely happening in the community.
  3. Ambient sound
    • Sound may be natural or environmental and should contribute meaningfully to the film and its mood.
Judging Criteria:

Total possible score: 20 points (5 categories × 4 points each).

  1. Visual Storytelling: Judges consider the clarity and strength of the narrative through shot choice, sequencing and framing.
    • The rubric evaluates this from "masterful narrative; clear beginning, middle and end" to "no clear story or sequence of events."
  2. Technical Quality: Assessed based on sound clarity, editing smoothness and overall polish.
    • Ranges from crisp audio and clean, professional editing to hard-to-hear audio or distracting edits.
  3. Thematic Connection: How deeply and meaningfully the film explores the chosen founding ideal.
    • From "deep, original exploration of a Founding Ideal" to "theme missing or misunderstood."
  4. Emotional Impact: Evaluates how strongly the film resonates with the audience.
    • From "leaves a lasting impression" to "fails to engage."
  5. Social Media Impact: "Shareability," pacing and engagement suited for modern digital audiences.
    • From "highly engaging; perfectly suited for digital sharing" to "unlikely to engage a digital audience."

Submit Your Entry