How to be Successful
The Presidential 1776 Award is a spelling bee-like competition where students demonstrate their understanding of America's founding era. With scholarship prizes ranging from $25,000 – $150,000, this is your chance to shine on a national stage.
Success starts with preparation, confidence, and a solid study plan. Here's how to get ready:
$25K – $150K
Spelling Bee Format
Kennedy Center, D.C.
Know the Material
All competition content is built from the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation's civic resources. The core themes are:
The Revolutionary War
America's Founding Documents
The Declaration of Independence
Influential Founders and Thinkers
Constitutional Principles
Key Events Leading to Independence
These readings will be your roadmap. Check out the Study Library to access relevant study materials.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The competition begins with online multiple-choice rounds, so speed and accuracy matter.
- Create practice quizzes for yourself
- Practice answering under time limits
- Review missed questions to reinforce learning
Pro Tip
By the time you reach the later rounds, these testing skills will feel like second nature.
Build Your Confidence
Learn how to stay calm under pressure.
- Focus on what you know
- Ask teachers or family members to quiz you aloud
- Make flashcards or apps to strengthen your knowledge recall
- Treat mistakes as stepping stones
Pro Tip
Confidence grows from repetition.
Get Support From People Around You
No one succeeds alone.
Students
Don't hesitate to ask teachers, parents, or friends for help reviewing the materials
Teachers
Consider forming study groups or after-school civics clubs
Parents
Encourage consistent study habits and celebrate progress
A strong support system boosts motivation and improves consistency.
Visualize the Final Stage
Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Finalists will compete in person at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Let the Finals be your goal. Imagine yourself on stage. The more you visualize success, the more your preparation becomes purposeful.
Study Tips
Practical strategies to maximize your preparation and retention.
Make a Study Schedule
- Break chapters and topics into daily chunks
- Set aside 20–30 minutes a day, focusing on small wins rather than cramming information
Use Active Study Strategies
- Create flashcards for important dates, people, and events
- Summarize each chapter in your own words
- Teach the content to a friend or parent
- Make mind maps to connect ideas
Practice Recall
- Quiz yourself 2–3 times per week
- Test without looking at notes to build memory strength
Review Materials Weekly
Civics concepts build on one another. Revisit older topics every week to keep everything fresh in your mind. Sharing perspectives with study groups can also make history easier to remember.
Focus on Understanding
Know why events happened and not just what happened. Understanding the story of America's founding will help you answer more complex questions that may require critical thinking.
Stay Balanced
Be sure to sleep well, take breaks, eat before studying, and move your body to reset your mind. A healthy brain learns better.
Parents & Teachers
Students perform their best when the adults in their lives provide consistent encouragement, structure, and meaningful academic support. Here's how you can help them confidently prepare for every stage of the competition:
For Parents
- Create a dedicated study environment by eliminating distractions, keeping supplies in one organized place, and encouraging scheduled study time blocks for consistency and endurance.
- Ask guiding questions. You don't have to be a civics expert, but asking the right questions can strengthen your student's understanding and improve their memory.
- Quiz them. Even if it's for five minutes. You can use flashcards, summary sheets, and oral question-and-answer prompts.
- Encourage healthy habits by ensuring your student gets 7–9 hours of sleep, eats nourishing meals, and takes breaks away from books and screens.
- Let them know you believe in them. It fuels belief in themselves.
For Teachers
- Integrate civics content into the classroom with daily or weekly "Founding Facts" warm-ups.
- Use competition material as enrichment for invested students.
- Build a supportive learning community by organizing study groups or clubs where peers can help teach each other.
- Provide practice opportunities like short multiple-choice quizzes or hold spelling-bee-style Q&A rounds to assess students' verbal recall.
- Help students master test-taking skills with pacing strategies and how to break down complex questions.
- Encourage curiosity beyond the text by discussing modern implications of the Constitution.
- Motivate and celebrate student commitment.
Parents and teachers form the support system that helps students thrive.
With your guidance, they can deepen their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and step into this competition ready to perform at their best.