Future Reflections: What America Means To Me

Project Overview

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary by participating in Future Reflections: What America Means to Me! This project invites Alabama students to unleash their creativity and share their perspectives on what America means to them. Submissions in various formats, such as video, essays, art, and performances, will highlight the talents and unique voices of Alabama students. Teachers can integrate this theme into their classroom objectives, encouraging students to explore topics such as identity, history, and civic engagement.

Selected works will be tentatively showcased at The American Revolution Premiere Events in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Key Details

Theme: What Does America Mean to Me?

Timeline:

  • Submission Opens: April 1, 2025
  • Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025
  • Premiere Events: Fall 2025 & Spring 2026

Eligibility:

  • Open to Alabama residents or students enrolled in Alabama K-12 schools.
  • Each participant may submit one entry per category but can participate in multiple categories (e.g., essay and visual art). 

Submit Your Project

All entries must be submitted by a June 1, 2025.

Submit

Submission Categories

Each category offers a unique way for students to creatively express their understanding of America, using formats that highlight their individual strengths and perspectives.

Available Categories

Video Essays 

  • Duration: 30–60 seconds. 
  • Requirements: Videos must include clear visuals, narration, and optional background music for emotional appeal. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Perform a monologue as an Alabama Revolutionary War figure. 
    • Highlight family stories or symbolic locations tied to Alabama history. 

Podcasts 

  • Length: 2–3 minutes. 
  • Requirements: Submit audio files with transcripts for accessibility. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Fictional interviews with Revolutionary figures. 
    • Reflections on democracy and its significance in Alabama’s history. 

Interactive Digital Storytelling 

  • Platforms: Canva, Adobe Spark, or similar tools. 
  • Requirements: Create at least five slides/pages with multimedia elements (e.g., text, images, embedded links). 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Develop an interactive timeline connecting Alabama’s Revolutionary history to national events. 
    • Create a virtual scrapbook of Alabama landmarks. 

Essays 

  • Word Limit: Up to 250 words. 
  • Requirements: Typed, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Write a letter to a Revolutionary War figure reflecting on their contributions to Alabama. 
    • Analyze how values like freedom and opportunity resonate in your community. 

Poetry 

  • Themes: Focus on identity, aspirations, or Revolutionary War perspectives. 
  • Requirements: Typed or handwritten submissions scanned and uploaded as a .pdf. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Write from the perspective of an Alabama soldier during the Revolutionary War. 
    • Use sensory imagery to depict freedom in the late 1700s. 

Visual Art 

  • Mediums: Drawings, paintings, or sculptures. 
  • Requirements: Submit high-quality images of artwork (sculptures must include multiple angles). 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Depict Revolutionary War scenes tied to Alabama history. 
    • Create a mural symbolizing unity between Alabama counties named after patriots. 

Dynamic Storyboards 

  • Components: Create six frames combining traditional drawings with digital enhancements. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Storyboard dialogues between Alabama Revolutionary figures and national leaders. 

Photo-Poetry 

  • Components: Pair at least three original photographs with reflective poems. 
  • Creative Ideas: 
    • Photograph Alabama Revolutionary landmarks paired with poetry exploring freedom and resilience. 

Submission Process 

Physical Submissions 

  • Mailing Address: 2112 11th Ave S, Ste 400, Birmingham, AL 35205 
  • Packaging and Labeling: 
    • Securely package all physical submissions to prevent damage during transit. 
    • Attach the completed submission form to the front of your entry or include it inside the package. 
    • Clearly label submissions with the participant’s name, school, grade level, and project title.

Digital Submissions 

  • Provide a shareable URL via services like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or unlisted YouTube links. 
  • Ensure files are downloadable, with permissions set for public access. 
  • Supported File Types: 
    • Documents: .docx, .pdf 
    • Videos: .mp4, .mov, .avi (minimum resolution: 720p) 
    • Audio: .mp3, .wav 
  • Additional Requirements: Ensure files adhere to size limits and verify link functionality before submission. 

Submission Form

Participant Information

Participant's Full Name:(Required)

Parent/Guardian Information

Required for participants under 19.
Parent/Guardian Name:(Required)

Submission Upload or Link:

For digital submissions, upload files or provide shareable URLs hosted on cloud services. Verify link functionality and permissions.
Max. file size: 100 MB.

Consent Forms

Parent and Participant Consent Form(Required)
Parent/Guardian Consent Form(Required)
Type your full name below to agree to the terms.(Required)
Participant Consent Form(Required)
Type your full name below to agree to the terms.(Required)