Postcard Contest

A partnership between Monticello and HISTORY®.

Calling all teachers and students! Monticello and HISTORY® invite you to participate in an art-based project that encourages students to connect Thomas Jefferson with their hometown.  The contest includes $10,000 in prize money and a chance to see your work featured on Monticello’s website.  

Postcard Theme

Submit an original handmade postcard addressing the following theme:  While Thomas Jefferson lived over two hundred years ago, we believe he is still relevant today.  Look around your hometown to see if you can find these influences.  How do you see the influence of Thomas Jefferson in your hometown?  Maybe your state was included in the Louisiana Purchase, or your town was a stop for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  Or maybe you have a street or school named after him.  You might even see an expression of Jefferson’s ideals in your hometown.  It might be things that remind you of the Declaration of Independence or Jefferson’s work on the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.  Illustrate this connection through words or pictures.

All Submissions Must

• Fit the theme
• Be appropriate for all audiences
• Include a description or explanation of how your image fits the theme
• Measure no more than 5 to 6 inches long and 3.5 to 4.25 inches high
• Be authored by only one student (not the product of group work)
• Include the following information:
  • Student Name and Grade
  • School Name
  • School Address
  • Teacher Name
  • Teacher Email

Deadline

All submissions must be received by Friday, April 26, 2013.

Submit

Mail your postcard to:

Thomas Jefferson Foundation
ATTN: Postcard Contest
P.O. Box 316
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Or send an electronic submission to education@monticello.edu with the subject line “Postcard Contest.”

Prizes

Senior Category

7^th grade-12^th grade
The Jefferson Cup: Two $500 prize winners
The Discovery Corps Award: Four $400 prize winners
Monticello Special Mention: Four $350 prize winners 

Junior Category

4^th grade-6^th grade

The Jefferson Cup: Two $500 prize winners
The Discovery Corps Award: Four $400 prize winners
Monticello Special Mention: Four $350 prize winners

Elementary Category

Pre-K – 3^rd grade

The Jefferson Cup: Two $250 prize winners
The Discovery Corps Award: Four $150 prize winners
Monticello Special Mention: Four $100 prize winners

Teacher Appreciation Awards

In recognition for their efforts, two teachers will receive $250 each for use in their classroom library fund or field trip fund.

Judging and Rubric

Winners of the postcard contest will be decided by a panel of judges representing the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and HISTORY®.  Entries will be judged by relevance to the theme, creativity, and strength of message.