What does America mean to you? This Hawaii student’s artful answer won her national recognition

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Ewa Makai Middle School student has placed second in a national contest.

The inaugural “America’s Field Trip” is a nationwide scholastic contest sponsored by America250. The contest encourages students from elementary through high school to reflect on what America means to them.

Students responded to the prompt, ‘What does America mean to you?’ through artwork, video, or essay submissions.

Among the thousands of inspiring and creative submissions, Laylamae Weaver was selected as one of the 75 second-place awardees.

“I am grateful to win this award that allows me to show my patriotism through my art,” Weaver said.

A panel of current and former educators selected 150 students as awardees: 75 for a first-place prize and 75 for a second-place prize. Weaver was awarded a $500 cash prize for her artwork.

“At Ewa Makai Middle School, our vision is ‘Empower, Explore, Excel Together’. Layalamae Weaver drew a picture of how students in middle school can explore their civic responsibility by becoming active members of their community,” said Ewa Makai Middle School Principal Kim Sanders.

America250 is a nonpartisan initiative striving to engage Americans nationwide in commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, which will occur on July 4, 2026.

Hawaii’s America250 Commission was formed last year through an executive order issued by Gov. Green.

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