The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Constitution Essay Contest. This year, 138 students from public and private schools across Pasco County submitted entries, each demonstrating thoughtful effort and a strong understanding of our nation’s founding principles.
Third place was awarded to Malvina Stashchak, a student at First Christian Academy in New Port Richey. Malvina reflected on the importance of religious freedom, writing:
“The Constitution also gives us freedom of religion. We are able to teach and preach about our beliefs. My grandma grew up in USSR and she was bullied even by her teacher for being a Christian. And my great grandpa was an underground pastor. He would switch the house they met up at every night so the police wouldn’t find them. So that’s why freedom of religion is important to me.”
Judge Mary McCoy praised Malvina’s ability to connect the Constitution to her family’s lived experience:
“I like it when a student can connect the U.S. Constitution with their lives, and this student was able to tie it to his/her personal history of grandparents’ experience in the U.S.S.R. with grandmother being bullied for being a Christian and great-grandfather being an ‘underground pastor.’”
Second place was awarded to Jiaan Trivedi of Oakstead Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes. Jiaan wrote about the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of the press, noting:
“The second reason the United States Constitution is so important to me is because of the freedom of press. The freedom of press allows the people inside of the United States of America to be able to communicate with each other. Imagine being restricted from saying what you think of something.”
First place went to Nirvika Ramsetty, also a student at Oakstead Elementary. Nirvika titled her essay “Liberty ignited by the Constitution.” She wrote:
“The constitution was a visionary created by Madison, Hamilton, and Washington, leaders who redefined how our nation could govern. They created 3 branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, to divide authority and ensure lasting balance. Inspired by the enlightenment ideals, they wrote a living document that protects freedom, secures justice and guides leadership. Their legacy isn’t just history. It’s the foundation behind every right, rule, and responsibility shaping America today.”
Judge McCoy commended Nirvika’s strong understanding of the Constitution and its framers, highlighting this passage:
“Inspired by the enlightenment (enlightened) ideals, they wrote a living document that protects freedom, secures justice and guides leadership. Their legacy isn’t just history. It’s the foundation behind every right, rule, and responsibility shaping America today.”
She also noted the strength of another line from the essay:
“The constitution isn’t just ink on parchment, it’s the pulse of our nation, it turned revolution, into resolution chaos, into clarity and ideals into institutions.”
All participating students will receive an honorable mention certificate from the Clerk’s Office. Awards for Pasco County public schools will be distributed through the school district, while certificates for private schools will be delivered by the Clerk’s Office this week.