2021 We the Students Honorable Mention winner Abigail Christensen already has a diverse range of interests from biology to world history, despite having another three years ahead of her at Incarnate Word Academy in Texas. By the end of her freshman year, Abigail was already involved in three of her high school’s sports teams as well as its speech and debate club. The latter of which has led her to start thinking about a career in law although she has plenty of time to decide how she ultimately wants to “make the world a better place for people.” As both an active social media user and a student of world history, Abigail would be interested in how Joan of Arc would be using social media if she were alive today. Having learned about Joan of Arc and so many other important historical figures and events from her teachers, she credits them with being important influences in her life along with her parents. Abigail is not able to vote yet, however that hasn’t stopped her from thinking about issues that matter to her such as equality — a principle she can help to uphold if she stays on the pre-law track. Additionally, Abigail cares about protecting things that are important to her such as the environment and animals.

Ava Chaladpru, one of our 2021 We the Students Essay Contest runner-up winners from Palestine, Texas, wasted no time getting involved in a diverse range of clubs her freshman year at University Academy. In addition to competing in her school’s University Interscholastic League, Ava is a member of their HOSA — Future Health Professionals chapter. Her involvement in the latter has also inspired her to become a doctor because it gives her an opportunity to “reassure [people] and encourage them to not give up.” Ava attributes this empathetic attitude to her family’s influence, particularly her uncle. She also looks up to her teachers, and as a result, has trouble picking a single favorite class. That said, history is one of her top subjects, and she notes three historical figures that she would love to follow on social media if they were alive today: Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Franklin. The unifying link between them all? “That [she] could learn a lot from all of their experiences.” Although she can’t vote yet, Ava knows what issues are important to her and what she looks for in a candidate. She primarily cares about ensuring the rights of all citizens, and that fairness and equity are at the forefront of policy. In general, she wants what is best for the country and hopes it consistently improves where possible.

Brooklyn Thomas enjoys expressing herself and her opinions via debate, as well as reading and learning new information. It stands to reason that Thomas was named a recent winner in the Bill of Rights Institute’s Think The Vote program. “I believe that Think the Vote is the perfect way to express your beliefs and knowledge through debate,” said Thomas, a student at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. “I will absolutely be doing more Think the Vote contests in the future!” Thomas added that she is very proud to have won in Think The Vote, as she was among “a lot of amazing writers. I’m also very proud of myself for taking advanced placement classes, like AP Chemistry. They are very challenging classes, but they push me to be an amazing student, and I love that.” Besides chemistry, Thomas also enjoys her classes related to social studies or science, including anatomy and AP U.S. History. She also plays volleyball and is part of her Senior Events Committee, among other activities. “I would have to say my hero is my parents,” Thomas said. “They have been there for me throughout my whole life, and they always push me to be the best I can be. When I’m not doing [my] best, they know I can be better and push me to get there. I will love them for that forever.” Thomas considers health care, education, and women’s reproductive rights as the topics she cares most about as a future voter. She added that she plans to major in “something related to healthcare. I then plan on attending nursing school or medical school to achieve my dream of helping people.” In her spare time, Thomas enjoys attending sporting events, music festivals, spending time with friends, being outdoors, reading, crafting, and traveling.

Caitlyn Beebe, one of the runner-up winners of our 2021 We the Students Essay Contest, hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A rising senior, Caitlyn attends Trivaio Academy, a homeschool program, plays on a basketball team, and also enjoys playing piano and violin. She enjoys taking classes in philosophy, literature, and Latin. As a future voter, the most important issues to Caitlyn are, “the sanctity of human life, the preservation of religious liberties, and the foundational role of objective truth and morality in the political process.” The person from history she would most want to follow if he were alive today is Ronald Reagan, and Caitlyn’s greatest influence is her mom. “She always encourages me to do my best,” says Caitlyn, “and to set high goals.” As far as future plans, Caitlyn hopes to become a lawyer someday, specializing in government policy and/or Constitutional Law. “I also plan to write a few books and maybe start a blog someday.”

An 11th grader at Cortland High School in Cortland, New York, Daniel Zhang is a recent winner of our Think the Vote debate contest. As a future voter, Daniel cares most about issues concerning young people’s mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and affordable health care. Daniel keeps a busy schedule. In addition to his academics–his favorite subjects are Physics and AP U.S. History–he also plays tennis, serves as student body treasurer, and is principal chair violin in the school orchestra. When asked who he would follow from history if they were on social media today, Daniel’s answer was Diana, Princess of Wales, “for her sense of friendliness and duty over materialistic titles such as Queen.” Daniel himself is active on Instagram. And what are his plans for the future? “I actually want to expand into the science field,” says Daniel, “especially into medicine. But who knows? Maybe politics is my calling.”

A recent graduate of New Manchester High School in Douglasville, Georgia, 2021 We the Students Honorable Mention winner Domenica Weems is passionate about her myriad endeavors, which extend well beyond the classroom.  Among other things, she was involved in FAME Dance, dance line, beta club, DECA, Odette’s Legacy, and the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She was also a member of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and DECA chapters as well as the debate team, the combination of which inspired her to pursue business and criminal justice as she begins college. Domenica’s interests have also led her to find Malcolm X to be a particularly compelling historical figure who she would definitely follow if he were alive and on social media today. Besides Malcolm X, Domenica says that her grandmother has had the greatest influence on her life. As a voter, Domenica is most concerned with the general amplification and support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. She also cares about the future of immigration policy and what a candidate’s stance is on that issue. Furthermore, Domenica wants to address existing problems surrounding health care.

Elijah Roth, one of our 2021 We the Students Essay Contest runner-up winners, has explored a wide range of interests — from U.S. History to percussion — while attending Oak Ridge High School in Tennessee. As a senior, he has had the chance to be involved with many clubs including Boy Scouts of America as well as his school’s band and show choir. Elijah’s love for music is not only apparent through his activities, but also through the admiration he has for his former snare teacher, Andrew Godfrey. Elijah cites Mr. Godfrey as his greatest influence and credits him with “teaching [him] how to channel enthusiasm, passion, and rehearsal skills.” In addition to band, one of Elijah’s favorite classes is history. A historical figure he has become particularly interested in is former Prime Minister Winston Churchill on account of Churchill being known as a witty and bold personality. For that same reason, Elijah would follow him on any social media platforms Churchill were to use if he were alive today. There are numerous issues that are particularly important to Elijah as a voter, but one topic at the forefront for him is the economy, specifically the management of the federal budget and financial deficit. Hand in hand with that is Elijah’s hope for a greater level of government transparency with the public. He notes how having the “ability to hold [the government] accountable” is of paramount importance. Additionally, Elijah cares about ensuring that we have safe and effective law enforcement. Elijah’s future plans include continuing his passion for percussion by playing year-round and attending college for percussion performance as well as computer science.

A 2021 We the Students Honorable Mention winner from De Pere, Wisconsin, Elizabeth Williams looks back fondly on the activities both inside and outside the classroom that she participated in throughout her time at De Pere High School. A member of the school’s tennis team and National Honor Society Chapter as well as part of Spring Lake Church youth group, she always kept a busy schedule. Among Elizabeth’s favorite subjects were History and Psychology, both of which she intends to continue taking classes in while attending Hillsdale College in Michigan. Elizabeth is not an avid social media user, however, she would be sure to follow Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, and the nation’s first president, George Washington if he were alive and on social media today. While a fan of George Washington, the greatest influence in Elizabeth’s life is Jesus Christ. As a voter, Elizabeth is most concerned with the protection of First Amendment rights — particularly freedom of speech. Another important matter to her is ensuring that there is a greater “respect for and pursuit of constitutionality.” These are both issues that she hopes to potentially help uphold as she considers applying for law school after completing her undergraduate degree.

Flora Shen said her favorite part of participating in the Bill of Rights Institute’s “Think The Vote” program is “being able to ‘listen’ to other students’ opinions and understand their perspectives.” That can be connected to what Shen feels most proud of, which is “how I’ve grown and developed as a person throughout the years,” she said. “Especially in high school, the new experiences I have been given changed my mindset and allowed me to become a better version of myself.” Shen is a student at Barrington High School in Barrington, Ill., and is active in badminton, Scholastic Bowl and her school’s Science Olympiad and Chinese Club. While she hasn’t officially figured out her future plans, Shen plans to attend college and considers education, the environment, and the regulation of artificial intelligence as the issues she cares about most. Shen also considers Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci as her hero, adding that “from painting The Last Supper to sketching flying machines, he contributed to fields of both art and science greatly.” In her spare time, Shen enjoys reading, drawing, and watching television.

Faith is definitely a central part of Grace Young’s life. She volunteers at her church, and when asked who she would follow from history if they were on social media today, she replied, “Jesus Christ. Given his expert knowledge, excellent public speaking skills, connection with others, and compassion for people, Jesus would be an influencer like no other.” One of our Think the Vote debate winners, Grace is currently a college junior at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Before that, she received a A.A. in political science at Motlow State Community College where she was the Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association (McMinnville Campus), a Student Ambassador, Secretary of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (McMinnville Campus), a member of the Honors Program, and 2019 Homecoming Queen. As a current voter, the three most important issues for Grace are abortion, First Amendment issues, and education. As far as plans for the future, Grace hopes to pursue a career in the legal field and become an author and someday publish an inspirational book.

Jack Phalen, one of our recent Think the Vote winners, will be a junior next year at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. His favorite classes include social studies, government, history, and economics. Outside his academic involvement, Jack plays shooting guard for his school’s basketball team, where they went 10-4 last season. Jack’s favorite historical figure is Benjamin Franklin. He is particularly inspired by Franklin’s tenacity at an early age when he started his own newspaper, patented the very popular “Franklin Stove,” and helped establish the current mail system. He also appreciates Franklin’s “behind the scenes” approach to politics, helping the nation’s founding by editing the Declaration of Independence, among other achievements. As far as issues are concerned, Jack is passionate about reforming our national debt, workers’ rights, and the environment. He hopes to study Political Science and Criminal Justice in college.

Jaleyna Lawes is a rising senior at Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and one of the runner-up winners in the 2021 We the Students Essay Contest. Jaleyna is very involved in activities at Flanagan, including membership in the Broward Youth Coalition, CADCA Youth Leadership Initiative, Change Is Ours, Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders, Black Student Union, Yearbook, DECA, and the National Honors Society. Her favorite subjects are AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition, African American Literature, and Journalism. A figure from history Jaleyna admires and would definitely follow if she were alive and on social media today is Maya Angelou. “Her raw honesty in her exploration of the intersections between Blackness and womanhood has always informed the way I navigate the world around me as a Black woman,” says Jalyeyna. “It would be interesting to hear her insights on the world as it is now, what has changed, and what progress still needs to be made.” Health equity and security, affordable housing, and access to education are the three most important issues to Jaleyna as a future voter. She is concerned about the numerous racial, socioeconomic, and gendered disparities in access and opportunity to education and health care, and as a result wants to advocate for more equitable public health through social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and research. She plans to pursue degrees in the history of medicine and public health. “I truly believe that an understanding of past national and global health practices, both in their triumphs and their shortcomings,” says Jaleyna, “can help inform how we perceive and attain health and wellness in the present and future.”