Essay and Poster contest deadline June 28

PICKENS COUNTY — The Pickens County 250 Committee has a mission. That mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s part in the American Revolution by educating, engaging, and inspiring students to tell the story of Pickens County. To achieve that mission, Carolyn Nations, Chairperson of the Pickens County 250 Committee, is extending an invitation to students in Pickens County to honor Gen. Andrew Pickens for his role in securing our nation’s freedom by writing an essay or creating a poster. First Prize is $100.

The essay competition, titled “Andrew Pickens at the Crossroads of Conflict” invites students to explore the role that Andrew Pickens played during the American Revolutionary War and/or his contributions to the peace treaties with the Native Americans. Essays should be double-spaced (or handwritten) and not exceed 500 words. The Essay contest is open to 5th through 8th grades and 9th -12th grades.

The poster competition should depict Andrew Pickens’ Revolutionary War Battles or his peace negotiations with the Native Americans. Posters should be 11 x 17 and artists may use any medium. The poster competition is also open to students from 5th through 8th grades and 9th through 12th grades. This competition is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in Pickens County.

All entries must be received by June 28, 2024. Entries can be dropped off at any Pickens County Library or emailed to the PickensCounty250committee@gmail.com. Do not forget to include your name, school, grade, age, and phone number with your submission. The four first place awards will be presented on July 6 at the Amphitheater on Main Street in the city of Pickens.

The South Carolina General Assembly chartered the 250 Commission in 2019 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We will be celebrating our 250th birthday in 2026, and the 250 Commission is working to promote the history of South Carolina and the events that contributed to South Carolina’s role in the fight for independence.

“South Carolina was the site of more than 400 battles and skirmishes, and the people of Pickens County were instrumental in the success of the Southern Campaigns of the Revolutionary War,” said Carolyn Nations, “and we do not want our role in creating the history and success of our nation to be forgotten.”