Three Montana Students Among First-Ever ‘America’s Field Trip’ Awardees

• July 08 2024

Three Montana students are second-place winners of America’s Field Trip contest, which is a nationwide initiative encouraging students to reflect on what America means to them.

The contest winners were announced Monday by the Montana 250^th Commission and America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Thousands of students across the country sent in inspiring submissions responding to the prompt “What does America mean to you?” Out of those submissions, 75 were named first-place awardees, and 75 were selected as second-place awardees, receiving a $500 cash award.

The second-place awardees from Montana include:

• Cecelia H., Missoula, Middle School (Grades 6–8)
• Peyten T., Livingston, Elementary School (Grades 3–5)
• Cylee N., Crow Agency, High School (Grades 9-12) 

A full list of the 150 nationwide awardees and their submissions is available at america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.

“It is impressive that, in just the first pilot year, three exemplary Montana students were selected for awards as part of this creative competition,” said Chris Averill, Montana 250^th Commission chair. “Congratulations to Cecelia, Peyten, and Cylee for earning this recognition, and for stepping forward to show Montanans what America means to them!”

Gov. Greg Gianforte also noted that Montanans are proud to be Americans, and it is important to instill this patriotic spirit in the next generation.

“I want to congratulate Cecelia, Peyten, and Cylee on understanding the timeless ideals that guided our nation’s founding of liberty and justice for all," Gianforte said. “I also wish to thank America250 for working to renew the promise of America as we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary.”

Rosie Rios, the America250 chair, said the 75 first-place winners will embark on transformative field trip experiences where they’ll experience history outside of the classroom.

"We’re grateful for all of the students, teachers, and families who engaged around America’s Field Trip — one of the first big steps on our long journey together to the Semiquincentennial,” Rios said. “As we advance toward July 4, 2026, America’s Field Trip will only get bigger, engaging thousands of students around our collective history and giving them a platform to actively participate in envisioning our future."

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About the Montana 250^th Commission

The 2023 Montana Legislature passed a bill to establish a Montana 250th Commission. The objectives of the Commission are to promote civic engagement and increase public awareness of United States and Montana government and history, including the history of Tribal nations. This anniversary provides all Montanans the opportunity to reflect on the importance of 1776, celebrate the contributions Montanans have made to our shared history, and promote a renewed participation in civics education among Montana students. The Commission is designed to help organize, promote, and coordinate efforts across the state related to this commemoration that can be inclusive of all Montanans. Members of the Commission include educators and historians, veterans and civics specialists, historic preservationists and Indian Education for All advocates, Republicans and Democrats. More information can be found at America250MT.org. 

About America250

America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  It is spearheaded by the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its nonprofit supporting organization, America250.org, Inc, together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country.  Until July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. 

To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.