STEUBENVILLE — Details of the Junior American Citizens contest, sponsored by the Fort Steuben Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, have been announced.

Karen Blanc, who serves as the chapter’s chairperson for the JAC committee, explained this year’s contest theme will be “Celebrating 250 Years of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Happy Birthday America! 1776-2026!”

Junior American Citizens is the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s second-oldest, youth-oriented committee, preceded only by the Children of the American Revolution.

The committee had its beginnings in October 1901, when a club was organized “to teach children some knowledge of the underlying principles of our government, of American sentiment and of all that will go toward making them good citizens.”

JAC became an established NSDAR committee in 1906.

Today, JAC is known as the “Triple A” committee, with an emphasis on ancestry, academics and allegiance. With an annual theme designed to promote good citizenship and history, the contest can be incorporated into the classroom curriculum, offering opportunities for public recognition of today’s young people, who are the future leaders of our country.

In schools, art teachers can encourage design of a poster during class. English and history teachers can incorporate a poem or short story into their studies. Entries will be judged by grade on four levels: Gifted artist or writer, general, special needs or special effort and non-declared, unspecified, so that every child may enter the contest — regardless of their ability.

The local DAR chapter, Fort Steuben, can provide rules and entry forms. There are no fees associated with the contest. For information, call (304) 479-4551.