For more than a decade, fifth-graders in Pasco County have been competing against one another, putting pen to paper or fingers on a keyboard, answering the question, “Why is the Constitution important?” The contest is in celebration of Constitution Day, September 17th.
The Honorable Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller invites all Pasco County fifth grade students to participate in this year’s contest. A panel of judges will select the winners. “Every year, the Judges marvel at how much thought and reflection these boys and girls put into answering that question,” said Clerk Alvarez-Sowles. “They have such great imaginations and great writing skills.”
In 2023, we had a first. All three winners came from the same school: Oakstead Elementary in Land O' Lakes.
“The American constitution is important because it is what holds this nation together stronger and tighter than any country on earth all doing this with less than 5000 words,” wrote Shan Chattasha. “Because of the balances that it must make sure that no person in the government can control the entire country.” Shan placed 3rd in this year’s contest.
Elizabeth Cole, who won 2nd place wrote, “First of all, the Constitution was like a manual, or like a tutorial for how to form a nation.”
Our three judges come with years of experience in journalism and academia. Peter Bernard spent decades as a television reporter in Tampa Bay, and retired from WFLA NewsChannel 8. Mary McCoy is Senior Editor and Media Relations Manager at Saint Leo University. Prior to her work at the university, she spent 10 years as an editor and bureau chief for the Tampa Tribune. Our newest judge is Dr. Austin Trantham, an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Department of Social Studies at Saint Leo University.
Dr. Trantham complimented the essay writers, and hoped that this would be the beginning of their journey. “I hope that the students enjoyed writing their entries,” said Dr. Trantham. “And the contest has inspired them to keep learning about this significant document in our country’s history.”
Bernard commented that some students really took the assignment to heart. “(They) took time to tell us what it (The Constitution) meant to them,” Bernard wrote. “I feel hopeful for the next generation of American citizens.”
Anchana Saran scored 1st. She writes, One reason that makes the Constitution important is that it protects individual rights and freedoms. For example, the freedom of religion,freedom of speech, and freedom of press,” wrote Saran. I practice a different religion than majority of the country. I hope we can all keep the Constitution alive for all the future generations.”
McCoy was particularly impressed with Anchana's essay. “This essay featured a good concluding statement and made it personal,” wrote McCoy. “The writer knew the impact of the Constitution on her life.”
It was nearly 237 years ago, on September 17th, 1787, that 39 determined and courageous patriots gathered in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall to sign the United States Constitution. Ushering in the phrase that has resounded across generations, “We the People.” The United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. The Constitution has remained in force for more than two centuries, because of the vision of its framers. They successfully separated and balanced the powers of government to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights, of liberty and equality, and of the federal and state governments.
First, second and third place winners receive a certificate and a gift card. The deadline for entries is September 27th. Winners will be announced at an upcoming Pasco County School Board meeting.