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Contest Overview

What Should My Video Be About?

The 15 Principles

Who Can Join in the Contest?

What Will I Win?

When Does the Contest Start? (NOW!)

Rules and Regs

How Judging Works

How Do I Submit my Video?

Create a video demonstrating the importance of one of the 15 principles that our country, and Principles First was founded upon.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial) of the Declaration of Independence! To celebrate, Principles First Academy is holding a nationwide video contest!

We invite the next generation of America’s leaders to craft a 30 second to 5-minute video highlighting of the 15 principles and reminding us why they are each so important. The Founding Fathers never could have anticipated the evolution of its people, its land, and its technology…but, they were smart enough to create a living document that articulated the principles that Americans hold near and dear to our hearts.

The Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution, put the world on notice that we were ready to throw off the shackles of a tyrannical king and to rule our new nation according to these guiding principles. The winner of this contest will be the team that creates the best video demonstrating the importance of at least one of the 15 principles that our country, and Principles First was founded upon.

Inspire Us! Wow Us! Teach us a lesson!

Remind us why America declared its Independence and founded this country on 15 core principles that make us different than any other country on Earth. 

  • Choose the principle that you feel strongest about, or speaks to you in a way that you want to share with others;

  • Do your research. Citations can be added at the end of the video and do not count toward the overall time limit.

  • Be Creative!! Tell a story and teach us a lesson and be memorable.

  • Don’t just point out a problem, but also propose a solution

  •  If filming with a smartphone, use Landscape orientation and a high-quality video setting

  • Speak slowly, clearly and loudly

  • Do not use copyrighted material without permissions. Better yet, use music and images that are in the public domain

  • Have Fun!!

  • Spread the word and get your friends involved!

The 15 Principles

  1. Integrity, character, & virtue matter.

  2. Every person has dignity, quality, and worth.

  3. Truth, honesty, rationality, & facts are non-negotiable.

  4. The Constitution and the rule of law are paramount.

  5. Our government is a limited one with enumerated powers.

  6. Congress writes laws, the executive executes laws, and the courts interpret laws.

  7. Government closest to the people is most accountable.

  8. People reach their full potential when they are free.

  9. Free and functioning markets deliver prosperity.

  10. Equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes.

  11. Government must responsibly steward resources for the next generation.

  12. Civic associations, faith communities, & families should be the primary engines of our culture - not the state.

  13. Strong families are the building blocks of society.

  14. Sovereignty is critical to self-government.

  15. America's role in the world is unique and important.

Principles First Academy has created this contest for any student of American History from 13 to 25 years old. 

  • Adults can be actors in the videos, but the real work has to be done by the kids;

  • The video can be in any language, but it must have English subtitles if not in English;

  • Kids can work in groups of any size, but each submission must have one lead contact (the producer).

  • There is no entry fee.

This year’s prize money totals $1776 and will be awarded as follows:

  • $250 for each of the three video contest finalists (in honor of the 250th anniversary!)

  • $1,026 for the one winning video! (Selected: July 4, 2026)

Get to work on your video today! 

  • The contest starts as soon as you start working on your video!

  • APRIL 20, 2026: Video contest submissions can be uploaded HERE until 11:59 pm (EDT) on Monday, April 20, 2026 (Patriot’s Day)

  • APRIL 21, 2026: The Principles First Academy’s team of judges will view all of the submissions, based on the criteria listed below

  • APRIL 22, 2026: The three finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day) and their videos will be posted on the Principles First Academy YouTube page. Each of the three finalist teams will win $250 and be entered into the finals.

  • APRIL 22, 2026 to JULY 4, 2026: Vote with “Likes” on YouTube. Send everyone you know to the Principles First Academy YouTube page. They should watch all three videos and “vote” (aka Like) for the one they like best. 

  • JULY 4, 2026: Whichever video has the most “Likes” at noon on July 4, 2026 is the winner! The winning team will receive $1026! 

Rules and Regulations

  • All videos must be submitted in digital format;

  • Contestants must be between 13-25 years old. Adults can be actors, but the kids need to do all the planning, writing, production, directing, editing and submissions;

  • Videos must be 30 seconds to 5 minutes long;

  • All videos must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 20, 2026 (Patriot’s Day);

  • Contestants can submit as many videos as they want;

  • Each submission will be accompanied by a completed Submission Form (which can be found on the Upload/Submission page here);

  • All videos submitted for judging must follow YouTube’s copyright infringement and Fair Use rules;

  • Entrants grant Principles First and Principles First Academy the right to use, reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, and/or display all contest videos without further compensation or notification to the entrant.

  • Content must comply with all local and national laws of the United States.

  • Content must not:
    1) Promote illegal behavior
    2) Support racial, religious, sexual or other prejudice
    3) Advocate sexual or violent exploitation
    4) Violate rights established by law
    5) Invade the privacy of any person
    6) Use foul language or be otherwise inappropriate, as determined by Principles First Academy.


There are THREE phases of this contest

  1. Submissions will be accepted from now until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm (EDT)

  2. Three Finalists will be chosen by the judges on April 21, 2026. They are looking for the videos that are most inspirational and best exemplify of one of the 15 core principles of Principles First

  3. The Grand Prize: The Rights, Camera, Action video winner will have the most “likes” on the Principles First Academy YouTube page at 12:00 noon (EDT) on July 4, 2026. 

    All of the judge’s decisions are final.

    In the event of a tie, the prize will be split evenly.

There are THREE phases of this contest

  1. Submissions will be accepted from now until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm (EDT)

  2. Three Finalists will be chosen by the judges on April 21, 2026. They are looking for the videos that are most inspirational and best exemplify of one of the 15 core principles of Principles First. The Three Finalist videos will be posted to the Principles First YouTube site.

  3. The Grand Prize: The Rights, Camera, Action video winner will have the most “likes” on the Principles First Academy YouTube page at 12:00 noon (EDT) on July 4, 2026. 

    All of the judge’s decisions are final.

    In the event of a tie, the prize will be split evenly.

Video Submission Rules

  1. All videos must be accompanied by a Submission Sheet that tells us:

    • Name and age of Point Person

    • Name and ages of all the people on the team

    • Title of the Video

    • Which of the 15 Principles are you highlighting?

  2. Please send the Submission Sheet and your video to: