Vivian Wan, left, and Grace Sweeten are the two First Staters who won the America’s Field Trip contest.
Two Delaware high school students have been named national winners in the 2025 “America’s Field Trip” contest, a nationwide initiative tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.
Grace Sweeten, a ninth-grader at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, and Vivian Wan, a tenth-grader at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, were among 75 first-place winners selected from thousands of student submissions across the country.
“Winning this contest means a lot to me because it gave me the chance to express what being American truly means—an identity built on inclusion and diversity,” Wan said. “It has encouraged me to keep sharing stories that bring people together, and it supports my academic goal of using writing to create positive change.”
Sweeten was honored for her original artwork, “Mother of Refuge,” while Wan earned recognition for her essay, “The American Mosaic.”
“America’s Field Trip is a transformative opportunity for students across the country to engage with our nation’s history in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Rosie Rios, chair of America250. “Our tentpole programs are intentionally designed to be hands-on, educational, and engaging. America’s Field Trip truly brings the story of America to life and allows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to experience American history and national treasures up-close.”
Both students’ works will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Delaware Public Archives, organizers announced this week.
America’s Field Trip invites students from grades 3 through 12 to reflect creatively on the question, “What does America mean to you?”
This year’s competition drew submissions from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
First-place winners will take part in field trips to historic and cultural landmarks across the U.S. this summer, while second-place winners receive a $500 prize.
“It’s an honor for Delaware to have two students recognized as first place winners in the America’s Field Trip contest,” said Margaret Hughes, director of Delaware 250. “We’re so proud of what Grace and Vivian have accomplished, and grateful to them for sharing their vision of America.”
The contest is part of a broader educational initiative by America250, the national commission leading preparations for the country’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. Organizers aim to foster civic reflection and participation through hands-on, inclusive programming.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at jarek@dimgrey-peafowl-504880.hostingersite.com or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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