America 250: Students from California, Florida, and Georgia are winners of the Bookmark Design Challenge

The winners of the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th were announced Friday by Second Lady Usha Vance with students from California, Florida, and Georgia winning for their original artwork reflecting what America means to them. 

In partnership with The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Second Lady Vance chose the winning designs — one from each grade band— that demonstrated exceptional creativity, artistic skill, and thoughtful engagement with the theme of America’s past, present, and future. 

The winners are: 

• Iris Zhang, a 1st grader from Fremont, California (grade K–2 category)
• Margaret McCaul, a 3rd grader from Jacksonville, Florida (grade 3–5 category)
• Eden Pethel, an 8th grader from Pendergrass, Georgia (grade 6–8 category)

What they're saying:

"It was so special to participate in this year’s bookmark design challenge as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary," said Second Lady Usha Vance. "Art plays such an important role in our nation’s history and inspires our young people’s imagination, creativity, and patriotism. Each submission beautifully reflected America’s history through the eyes of our youngest citizens and artists. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who helped celebrate this special anniversary by sharing your talents with the entire country!"

Winners will be recognized at the Great American State Fair

The winning designs will be featured during commemorative activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this year, such as the Great American State Fair, the Second Lady’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, and other Office of the Second Lady and NEA events. 

The three winning students have been invited to Washington, D.C. where they will be recognized at a special event at the Great American State Fair, taking place June 25 through July 10, 2026.