Winners for the Stars and Stripes America 250 Youth Essay Contest are announced on April 7, 2026. ()
Stars and Stripes is proud to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America by announcing the winners of our Youth Essay Contest.
The contest was open to military-affiliated youth around the world, and was judged by the Stars and Stripes Europe content team. Judging was done using a points-based rubric, and winners determined by total points out of 100. See the contest details for more information.
First place winners in each of the three categories, elementary, middle school and high school, win a $100 AAFES gift card, a swag bag from Stars and Stripes, and will have their essay published on our website. They will also have their essay printed inside the Stars and Stripes newspaper Month of the Military Child special insert published worldwide on April 30.
Second and third place winners in each age category will also have their essays published on our community website and will recieve a swag bag.
Youth were asked to answer this essay question: How has being part of a military (or military-affiliated) family shaped how you think about America?
First Place Winners
Second Place Winners
High School Essay: Jack Culpepper, Vicenza High School, Italy
Middle School Essay: Arwa Boubetana, Vicenza Middle School, Italy
Elementary Essay: Ryker Howard, Freedom Elementary, Missouri, USA
Third Place Winners
High School Essay: Luke Young, Osan Middle High School, South Korea
Middle School Essay: Daniella Cantey, Humphreys Middle School, South Korea
Elementary Essay: Kenny Cavins, Palisades Elementary, Hawaii, USA
Congratulations to all of our award winners!
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