The National Society SAR developed the Elementary School Poster Contest to help stimulate interest in and aid the study of American History in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade curriculum. In addition to all students attending public, private, parochial, or home schools, this contest also includes Scouting Organizations, Children of the American Revolution, and other youth organizations recognized by the NSSAR Council of Youth Programs Committee.

The National Society SAR developed the Elementary School Poster Contest to help stimulate interest in and aid the study of American History in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade curriculum. In addition to all students attending public, private, parochial, or home schools, this contest also includes Scouting Organizations, Children of the American Revolution, and other youth organizations recognized by the NSSAR Council of Youth Programs Committee.

• Participants from organizations other than schools must be of the same age as 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders, whichever grade they teach American History in the specific school district. If American History is taught in lower grades at selected schools, an entry may be accepted for the competition at the discretion of the NSSAR Council of Youth Programs. Judging of ALL entries will be equal regardless of point of origin.  The theme for the Poster Contest rotates annually based on whether the school year ends in an odd or even number. As our nation looks toward America250, or the Semiquincentennial, we suggest art that highlights a significant event occurring within that anniversary year or a related personality.

• For academic years ending in odd numbers. (e.g. 2025), The theme shall be "RevolutionaryWar Person (or Persons)”

• For academic years ending in even numbers. (e.g. 2026), The theme shall be “Revolutionary War Event (or Events)”. 

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. All posters must be two-dimensional. We will not accept or allow any three-dimensional entries.

2. Submitted posters must be on either traditional flexible poster board (22 inches x 28 inches) or foamed-backed poster board (20 inches x 30 inches).

3. The student’s name cannot be on the front of the poster.

4. Computer-aided graphics can be used to design material for the posters. However, this material must be of original design and is limited to no more than fifty percent of the poster. We will not allow commercially produced or printed material, such as clip art. Use of trademarked or copyrighted material will be grounds for disqualification.

5. Each local school winner will compete at the chapter level. Each chapter winner will compete on the state society level. Each state society winner will compete on the national level.

6. The National Committee will only accept one (1) entry from each State Society.

7. Original art posters must be mailed, or delivered to the NJSSAR Education Chair, Roger S. Williams, roger@princetonsar.org by March 15th. Send to 17 Paddock Dr., Maidenhead, NJ 08648

8. STRONGLY RECOMMEND: Copy centers (e.g. Staples, Kinko's, etc.) have special copiers for large items. Original Art is taken to a copy center to be digitally preserved.

9. All posters will have a copy of the entry form affixed to the back of the poster. The NJSSAR Education Committee will not consider the attached form as the official entry form. We will use the attached form to identify the poster for judging and retrieval purposes.

10. The NJSSAR Education Committee members will conduct judging of the posters at the Committee meeting held during the annual Lexington Concord Luncheon in April.

11. JUDGING CRITERIA

1. Does the poster express the annual theme?

2.  Does the poster show originality by the student?

3. Does the poster show evidence of research?

4. Does the poster show artistic merit and creativity?

5. Does the poster accurately reflect the historical event?

6. Is the poster neat and visually pleasing?

POSTER CONTEST PRIZES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL POSTER CONTEST

Chapter Awards: Cash award varies according to. To contact the chapter in your county, visit https://www.njssar.org/chapters.

State Awards

1.     State Winner: $100, plus SAR Certificate.

2.     State Honorable Mentions: $25, plus SAR Certificate

National Awards:

1.     First Place Blue Rosette Ribbon Cash Prize to be determined, Certificate

2.     1st Runner-up/2nd place Second Place Red Rosette Ribbon Cash Prize to be determined, Certificate

3.     Third Place White Rosette Ribbon, Cash Prize to be determined, Certificate

WHERE TO SUBMIT

Submissions are made at the chapter level. NJSSAR has thirteen chapters that represent the twenty-one counties. To contact the chapter in your county, visit https://www.njssar.org/chapters.

QUESTIONS?

Contact your local chapter, or the NJSSAR Chair, Roger S. Williams, roger@princetonsar.org, 609-389-5657