Graduate named national winner in America’s Field Trip Contest

Benjamin Myers

Fox Chapel Area High School 2024 graduate Benjamin Myers was named a first-place national winner in the America’s Field Trip contest. The competition is a new, nationwide scholastic contest and thousands of students from across the country submitted inspiring entries responding to the prompt, “What Does America Mean to You?” Entries included artwork, videos and essays.

The entries were judged by current and former educators who selected 150 students as first- and second-place winners from 44 states and territories. There were three age-related categories, and Benjamin, who submitted an essay, was one of 25 (only two were from Pennsylvania) to be named a first-place winner in the high school category which included grades 9-12. Each first-place winner and one guest will have the opportunity to take part in a special field trip exploring some of America’s iconic landmarks, historical sites and cultural treasures across the country, with free travel and lodging.

According to an email from Rosie Rios, the chair of America250, “We are immensely proud of all the students who participated in the first-ever America’s Field Trip competition. The submissions reflected diverse perspectives and an inspiring array of visions for our nation’s future.”

The America’s Field Trip contest is a program of America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Funding for the competition was provided by The Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon Foundation.