USA TODAY reveals finalists in 'Fly Your Flag' student civics contest
The finalists are in!
Nearly 850 students across the country participated in USA TODAY's "Fly Your Flag" civics contest, submitting flag designs that sought to capture not just what America means to them, but a flag that also represents the values and ideals of the country they want to live in.
The contest, which launched in April ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States, was done in partnership with SUNN - a non-partisan organization publishing student journalism.
With three different categories, judges from across the USA TODAY Network ranked each submission to narrow the field to just 30 finalists. Those picks then went to a special panel of judges: actress and comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus; artist Kadir Nelson; teacher-influencer Sharon McMahon; Olympian Jasmine Jones.
Contest organizers added a special category for AI-assisted artwork in high school submissions.
First place winners will receive $1,000, followed by $750 for second place winners and $500 for third place. Dialogue Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt University donated the prize money.
Winners will be announced Wednesday, July 1.
Here are the finalists.
Finalists in the 5th-8th grade competition
- Victoria K., a sixth grader at Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac School in California
- Julieth B., a fifth grader at The Conroe Virtual School in Texas
- Anjali B., a fifth grader at James H. Vernon Elementary School in New York
- Ivanka L., an eighth grader in New York
- Ming-Yu C., a seventh grader at Saline Middle School in Michigan
- Elisabeth Y., an eighth grader at Islander Middle School in Washington
- Indira J., a sixth grader at University School of Nashville in Tennessee
- Noa D., a seventh grader at Scheck Hillel Community School in Florida
- Dillan D., an eighth grader at Saline Middle School in Michigan
- Vivien W., an eighth grader in New York
- Solange M., an eighth grader in Florida
Finalists in the high school competition
- Soeun K., a senior at Troy High School in Michigan
- Mahasri N., a junior in Michigan
- Joseph J., a junior in Tennessee
- Lillyan W., a senior in Oregon
- India B., a junior at University School of Nashville in Tennessee
- Bernadinio S., a senior at Charette High School in Rhode Island
- Frida J., a freshman Dwight High School in New York
- Aneli C., a freshman at Desert Edge High School in Arizona
- Ava D., a sophomore at Mallard Creek Highschool in North Carolina
- Abigail T., a junior at Woodland High School in Washington
- Kellen V., a junior at Zeeland West High School in Michigan
- Lauren G., a sophomore at the Menlo School in California
Finalists in the high school AI competition
- Yeonjoon H., a senior in Michigan
- Asym K., a junior in Michigan
- Henry W., a junior in Michigan
- Anmol K., a junior at Troy High School in Michigan
- Haaris S., a junior in Michigan
- Varun S., a senior at Troy High School in Michigan
- Jayden S., a junior in Michigan
Krista Johnson covers education and children for The Courier Journal. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@gannett.com and subscribe to her newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Unlimited Use: USA TODAY reveals finalists in 'Fly Your Flag' student civics contest
Reporting by Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY Unlimited Use
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This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM.