GJB-SAR Elementary Poster Contest
Picture
Click to enlarge
​The GJB-SAR annual Elementary Poster Contest  is designed to encourage 3rd through 5th grade students to explore American history—particularly the Revolutionary War era—through creativity, research, and artistic expression.
2026 Poster Contest Theme:
Revolutionary War Event or Events – 250th Anniversary

Who May Participate:
3rd-5th grade students in public, private, and home-school settings

Submission Deadline:
April 1, 2026
Student posters will be judged on:
• Expression of the theme• Originality and creativity
• Evidence of historical research
• Artistic merit and neatness
• Historical accuracy

The winning poster from our chapter will advance to the Illinois SAR State Competition, with the opportunity to move on to the National SAR level.  Our local top three finishers will receive prizes of $100, $50 and $25 plus recognition in the Normalite. Further, the top theree will have the opportunity to participate in the reading of The Declaration of Independence at Connie-Link Amphitheater being held by the General Joseph Bartholomew chapter of SAR on July 8, 2026, to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday!
Picture
Click to enlarge
Elementary School Poster Contest Rules and Guidelines
The National Society of the SAR developed the Elementary School Poster Contest to help stimulate interest in and aid the study of American History, particularly the Revolutionary War period, in the 3rd thru 5th grades.  The theme for the poster contest rotates each year.

2026 Theme: Revolutionary War Event or Events, 250th Anniversary Events

​All posters are to be two dimensional.  Drawings or other images created by the students may be adhered to the poster board, but no more than two layers of paper may be adhered to the poster board.
Picture
Rules & Regulations
  1. Posters are to be on traditional flexible poster board (22” X 28”) or foam backed poster board (20” X 30”).
  2. Student’s name cannot be on the front of the poster
  3. Computer aided graphics only originally created by the student will be allowed.  No commercially produced, printed, clip art, or photographs are allowed.  Use of copyrighted or trademarked material is prohibited.
  4. All letters, numbers, wording and dates must be done by hand, by the student directly on the poster board.  No computer typed letters or numbers are to be printed and adhered to the poster.
  5. The winner from the General Joseph Bartholomew chapter will move on to compete at the state society level and the state winner will advance to the national level.
  6. All posters will have a copy of the entry form affixed to the back of the poster

All posters will be judged by the following criteria:
  • Does the poster express the theme?
  • Does it show originality by the student?
  • Does it show evidence of research?
  • Does it demonstrate artistic merit and creativity?
  • Does it accurately reflect the historical event?
  • Is it neat and visually pleasing?

Local chapter prizes:
1st place: $100 US Savings Bond, recognition in Normalite, certificate, forwarded entry to State Contest
​(Winner of State contest submitted for potential National Award)
2nd place:  $50 US Savings Bond,  recognition in Normalite, certificate
3rd place:  $25 US Savings Bond, recognition in Normalite, certificate.

All entries will be picked up by our chapter at the school.  Three placing entries will have the opportunity to participate in the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026 at the Connie-Link  Amphitheater in Normal.


​​Download the form for submission
Picture
Poster Form for Submission