Letters to Our Founders Essay Contest
West Virginia students in grades 8-12 are invited to write letters to America’s founders, reflecting on the past 250 years and imagining what the next 250 years may bring. The winning essay will be printed on archival paper and included in the West Virginia section of the official America’s Time Capsule, which will be buried at Independence National Park in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, and remain sealed until 2276.
Essays must be submitted online by April 15, 2026.
Word Count: Minimum of 500 words (8th grade), 750 words (9-10th grades), or 1,000 words (11-12th grades).
Essays that do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered.
Essay Planning: Essays should have an introduction, body, and a conclusion. Arguments are clearly made and well supported by clear, consistent citations. Please use APA format for all citations. Primary sources are encouraged.
Prizes will be awarded to the top entry from each grade level, and winners will be featured in official state promotions leading up to July 4, 2026. Additionally, the top five essays will be featured on the Goldenseal website, one of the state’s most treasured publications. Participants are encouraged to connect their essays, specifically the sections that address the vision for the future, directly to West Virginia.