“Youth Contests: Cultivating the Next Generation of Thinkers and Citizens”

Let’s be honest—convincing teenagers to care about the American Revolution might feel like trying to pitch ‘Hamilton’ but without the songs. But that’s exactly why SAR youth contests are so important.

We’re not just handing out medals and scholarships—we’re planting revolutionary seeds. Every essay, oration, poster, and JROTC award is a chance to take the bold ideas of 1776 and make them stick in the minds of the next generation. It’s like sneaking spinach into brownies, except the spinach is patriotism and the brownies are cash prizes and eternal glory.

Think about it: these contests spark curiosity. Suddenly a high school student who couldn’t tell you who Nathan Hale was is quoting him. A middle schooler who thought Paul Revere was just a guy on a horse is digging into what courage actually looks like. We’re not just creating students—we’re creating future leaders with a deep respect for where their freedom came from.

And let’s face it, the founding fathers didn’t fight a war so the Constitution could be replaced by Netflix. They fought so that future generations—yes, including kids glued to their smart phones—could have the freedom to think, speak, and lead. These contests give them a way to start doing just that.

Plus, there’s the visibility. When SAR shows up at schools with certificates, sashes, and people in tricorn hats—it gets noticed. Suddenly, history isn’t boring—it’s interactive, alive, and maybe even cooler than it sounds in a textbook.

So, whether it’s a speech, an essay, or a poster of George Washington looking like a boss, we’re doing something big: making liberty relevant. And if we want the ideals of the Revolution to last another 250 years, it starts with the kids who are just now learning how it all began.

After all, they’re not just the future of America—they’re the future of the SAR too.