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2026 Northern District of Ohio Civics Contest

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is hosting its inaugural District-wide Civics Contest! Students in grades 9-12 from the Northern District of Ohio are encouraged to submit an original Poster and accompanying description (250-word maximum) examining the significance of the Declaration of Independence and its role in the judiciary.  Cash prizes are available to the top three applicants in each region (Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown).

Prompt & Guidelines

250 Years of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness — The Judiciary’s Role in Upholding America’s Promise

In 2026, our nation commemorates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence – a document that proclaimed that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the unalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. These revolutionary ideas not only sparked the birth of a nation but also established the enduring principles that continue to guide us.

For more than two centuries, the judiciary has played a vital role in interpreting, protecting, and giving life to these ideals. Through its decisions, the courts have shaped the meaning of equality, expanded the understanding of liberty, and ensured that the rule of law remains a cornerstone of our democracy. Judges, juries, and the justice system as a whole help safeguard the rights envisioned in 1776 and adapt them to the challenges of each new era.

Your Challenge

Create an original graphic Poster and provide a written description of your Poster that conveys the connection between the Declaration’s founding promises and the judiciary’s role in upholding them. Consider how the courts have influenced the nation’s journey toward justice, fairness, and equal rights across 250 years. The written description should explain the civic message behind the artwork and show how the Poster is meant to educate or inspire the public. While the image captures attention, the description clarifies how the symbols, colors, and design choices connect the Declaration of Independence to the judiciary’s role in protecting rights.

Possible Themes to Explore

  • The judiciary as guardian of constitutional rights
  • Landmark moments where courts expanded or clarified freedoms
  • The meaning of equality under the law
  • The balance between individual liberty and societal responsibility
  • The courtroom as a symbol of fairness, justice, and civic trust
  • A vision of how the judiciary continues to shape the nation’s future

DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2026

Who May Enter

The contest is open to high school students (grades 9-12) enrolled in public, private, parochial, and charter schools, and home-schooled students of equivalent grade level in the Northern District of Ohio. Children of federal judges, chambers staff, and employees of federal court offices are not eligible to participate.

 

Poster, Description Length, Format, Submission, and Judging

Posters and descriptions must be submitted via email as a PDF and Word file to the appropriate email address based on the contestant’s county of residence along with the Civics Contest Entry Form and Release by 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

 

Poster

The Poster should be submitted electronically as PDF, maximum 10 MB. Name your file: Firstname Lastname_Poster (example: Jane Smith_Poster.pdf).

Content Guidelines

  • Messaging: Must promote civic engagement, responsibility, or awareness. Must be consistent with the desired theme.
  • Respectful Tone: No offensive, discriminatory, or harmful content.
  • Accuracy: Information presented must be factually correct.
  • Informative: Must include one paragraph description on how it connects with theme.

Description

Description of the Poster should be submitted as a Word document and should be no more than 250 words.

Please follow these formatting guidelines for description:

  • Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced text, with one-inch margins
  • Include a title page with your first and last name, school (if applicable), grade level, county, street address, email, and phone number
  • Name your file: Firstname Lastname_Description (example: John Smith_Description.docx)

Posters and descriptions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Message Clarity (25%) – Is the civic message clear and impactful?
  • Creativity (25%) – Is the public service campaign original and engaging?
  • Relevance (25%) – Does it connect to civic themes and responsibilities?
  • Technical Quality (25%) – Is the production polished and easy to understand?

Winners will be selected from each region (Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown).

First place: $250 award

Second place: $100 award

Third place: $50 award

 

Questions may be sent to the respective submission inbox listed above.

By submitting a Poster, participants agree to allow the Court to display the Poster (images, text, and graphics) in courthouses, at civic-related events, on its website, and other similar settings.