As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Virginia students have done something remarkable: They’ve answered one of democracy’s most enduring questions: What does freedom mean to you?
The Expressions of Freedom competition, created through a partnership between the Virginia Department of Education, the Office of the Governor, and VA250, invited students across the Commonwealth to share their answers through artwork, video, audio, or essays. The responses were as diverse and powerful as Virginia itself—personal meditations on identity, hopeful visions for the future, and bold declarations of civic purpose.
Virginia’s role in this celebration runs deep. From Jamestown to Yorktown, from Jefferson’s pen to the legal brilliance of John Marshall, the Commonwealth helped author the American story. VA250’s guiding theme—To Form a More Perfect Union—recognizes that this work isn’t finished. These student submissions are proof of that ongoing journey.
Top entries were placed in a time capsule inside the restored pedestal of the iconic George Washington statue in London’s Trafalgar Square, to be opened in 250 years, revealing Virginia’s young voices, sealed in stone, speaking to generations not yet born.
Entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel on clarity, voice, and presentation. Winners were selected as Regional Finalists; Top Honors recipients at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; and Honorable Mention awardees.
Featured image courtesy of va250.org. This article originally appeared in the June 2026 issue.
