Thirteen New Jersey Students Honored in Inaugural 'America's Field Trip' Awards

Five students to embark on exclusive field trips, eight others receive cash awards in national scholastic contest.

NEW JERSEY – RevolutionNJ, a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Crossroads of the American Revolution, in collaboration with America250, has announced the selection of thirteen New Jersey students as part of the first-ever “America’s Field Trip” awardees. This nationwide contest encourages students to reflect on the meaning of America, with first-place winners receiving unique field trip experiences to iconic historical sites and second-place winners receiving $500 cash awards.

Thousands of students across the country submitted entries answering the prompt, “What does America mean to you?” Of these, 75 first-place and 75 second-place awardees were chosen, including thirteen from New Jersey.

First Place Awardees:

• Ginger C., 7th Grade, Salem
• Kadidiatou L., 12th Grade, Newark
• Lulin L., 3rd Grade, Bridgewater
• Jace T., 6th Grade, Newark
• Malay G., 7th Grade, Edison

Second Place Awardees:

• Valeria R., Elementary School (Grades 3–5), Bridgewater
• Brenden F., High School (Grades 9–12), Cinnaminson
• Olivia P., Elementary School (Grades 3–5), Madison
• Foysal S., High School (Grades 9–12), Elizabeth
• Alexander L., Middle School (Grades 6–8), Florham Park
• Everett K., Elementary School (Grades 3–5), Haddonfield
• Kaitlyn R., Middle School (Grades 6–8), Milltown
• Jessenia S., Middle School (Grades 6–8), Newark

“I am incredibly proud and moved by our students’ submissions to the America’s Field Trip contest,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “Their stories of immigration and belonging, of freedom and liberty, of cultural expression and community building exemplify the very best of our state and nation and are highly deserving of this prize.”

First-place winners will partake in memorable field trips this summer, including tours of the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, the Smithsonian museums, and other significant American sites. The complete list of the 150 nationwide awardees and their submissions is available at america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.

“All of us at RevolutionNJ are so pleased with this strong showing from New Jersey’s students,” said executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, Sara Cureton. “As New Jersey’s 250th partnership, RevolutionNJ places a high value on educational initiatives such as America’s Field Trip, for we believe that understanding the past builds better neighbors, citizens, and leaders for New Jersey’s future.”

Carrie Fellows, executive director of Crossroads of the American Revolution, added, “The America’s Field Trip program aligns perfectly with our goals to elevate the value placed on history education and promote heritage tourism. In future contest rounds, we hope to provide students with the opportunity to explore some of the wonderful heritage sites here in New Jersey to help them better understand the American Revolution and its legacy here in our state.”

RevolutionNJ, a partnership dedicated to commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey, focuses on education, community engagement, and promoting historical understanding. America250, a nonpartisan initiative, is planning the nationwide commemoration of the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary, inviting Americans to reflect on the past and envision the future.

For more information, visit RevolutionNJ and America250.