The NAACP Culpeper Branch and the Madison County African American Historical Association (MCAAHA) have announced their partnership in presenting the 2026 Black History Month student contest for the month of February. The contest will focus on the era of segregated schools and the fight for integration, and will feature two categories: Essays (up to 500 words) and Artistic Expression, to include poems, songs, paintings, drawings, and photographs.
The contest prompt is: Explore the history of segregated schools in our country or our community, and/or the fight for integration and equality in education.
In addition to receiving cash prizes of $200 for high school students, $150 for middle school students, and $100 for elementary school students for each category, the winning entries may also be included in the MCAAHA’s upcoming exhibition on the history of local African American schools: Striving for Excellence: A Century of African American Schools in Madison County from 1868-1968.
The winning students will also present their work at the NAACP Culpeper March 19th meeting. A special reception will follow. The event will be held at Antioch Baptist Church in Culpeper beginning at 7 pm.
The contest deadline is February 28. Entries may be submitted by email to bhm.essay@gmail.com or by mail to NAACP Culpeper, P.O. Box 687, Culpeper, VA, 22701. For complete contest details and requirements, suggestions for research, and a list of resources, visit www.naacpculpeper.org/for-students.
