The League of Women Voters of Greenwich (LWV) has declared the winners of their fourth annual essay contest, showcasing once again the exceptional talents of our young residents. The contest, a highlight in LWV’s youth outreach, stokes the fires of democratic understanding and participation among our town’s youngest citizens.
This year, the contest welcomed entries from students in grades 3-12 who either reside in Greenwich or attend one of our esteemed local schools. These bright young minds were applauded at the League’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, June 7, at Riverside Yacht Club.
In a departure from tradition, the contest’s essay prompts were grade-specific, with each age group addressing a relevant question about our democracy. Students in grades 3-8 pondered over the federal voting age, debating its appropriateness or whether it should be changed. The elder students, grades 9-12, embarked on a more nuanced journey, examining potential expansions of constitutionally protected voting rights.
The winning essays, exemplifying exceptional insight and creativity, are now available for your perusal on the LWV Greenwich website.
Elementary School Winner:
Callie Smith of Sacred Heart Greenwich, Grade 5, with her compelling essay “Over, Under, and Through Thunder, I Think 15-16 Is a Great Number.”
Middle School Winners:
Youhan Liang from Eastern Middle School, Grade 8, enlightening us with “Federal Voting Age.”
Sara Rahimtula, also from Eastern Middle School, Grade 8, arguing “Why Sixteen and Seventeen-Year-Olds Deserve the Right to Vote.”
High School Winner and Runners-up:
Aubrey Niederhoffer from Greenwich High School, Grade 11, shedding light on “Puerto Rico: America’s Last Colony.”
Claire Maher of Sacred Heart Greenwich, Grade 11, raising the issue of “Felon Disenfranchisement: The Unjust Deprivation of Felon’s Rights.”
Carina Adams-Szabo from Greenwich High School, Grade 12, presenting “Breaking the Chains: A Constitutional Imperative for Democracy.”
Prizes include gift certificates to Athena Books and Diane’s Books for the elementary and middle school categories respectively, and college tuition awards for the high school category.
Over twenty volunteers, with each essay reviewed at least twice, evaluated the submissions on organization, persuasiveness, and research documentation, all while ensuring the originality of the work.
LWV Greenwich applauds the efforts of every participant and volunteer.
