Two PWCS students named winners of the Expressions of Freedom contest

In anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, the VA250 Education Committee launched the “Expressions of Freedom” competition. This statewide event invited students in grades 3–12 to share their personal interpretations of freedom through original works of art answering the question: “What does freedom mean to you?”

Out of nearly 100 submissions, judges selected 11 standout entries—eight regional winners representing each superintendent’s region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and three overall winners, one for each school level.

Among the honorees are two students from Prince William County Public Schools.

Connor Sigman, a rising senior at Gar-Field High School, was named the Overall High School Winner for his photograph of the United States Capitol and accompanying essay, “The Foundation of Freedom.”

“To me, freedom is more than just a word, it’s a societal promise, a lifelong pursuit, and a responsibility shared by all who live in its light,” Connor wrote. “It’s not only about what I’m free to do, but about what I’m free to be. And within that freedom is the ability to make a difference.”

Achsah Henok, a rising seventh-grade student at Rippon Middle School, was selected to represent Region Four for her painting, “The Manifestation of Freedom,” which depicts the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty and includes an original poem.

“A non-choreographed dance, that only you know the steps to.” This line, she explained, means that only you can choose your future. “You never know what will happen next. It’s only you who can create the dance or shape the future,” wrote Achsah.

The Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera honored the winning students at a special ceremony in the Virginia State Capitol Rotunda. The winning entries were published in a commemorative book and placed in a time capsule that will be sealed inside the restored pedestal of the George Washington statue in Trafalgar Square, London. The statue is a replica of the Houdon statue located in the same rotunda where the artwork was displayed. The capsule will remain sealed for 250 years.

"The engagement of these students in exploring freedom is a testament to the enduring relevance of our founding principles,” said VA250 Executive Director Cheryl Wilson. “Their winning entries will not only be celebrated today but will also form a historical record for centuries to come, preserved across the Atlantic."

As these young voices contribute their visions of freedom to a time capsule destined for London, they leave behind a legacy that will inspire future generations to reflect on the meaning of liberty and the responsibilities it entails.

The students’ work was showcased on July 4 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, as part of the "America. Made in Virginia: Fourth at the Fort" event.