The Presidential 1776 Award competition is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s initiative celebrating America’s 250th birthday. It’s a national civics competition where more than 7,000 high school students from all 50 states display their knowledge of America’s founding.
“This presidential award is a wonderful opportunity to get citizens engaged and to recognize the citizens who do take the time to learn about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance, the civil rights movement. All those things which made America what it is.”
Gleaves Whitney is Executive Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. He says it’s a great honor for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to host a regional semifinal.
“For us to be involved in such a high endeavor with a high bar, and to see these young people to be so excited and really embrace this challenge, is really rewarding.”
After Saturday’s competition, 20 students will head to Washington, D.C. for June’s National Final. The top three winners will receive scholarships of up to $150,000.
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