Morgan Trento– Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Three Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) students placed first, second, and third in September's Manatee County, "What the Constitution Means to Me" Essay Contest.
First place won $300, second $200, and third, fourth, and fifth won $100. LRHS seniors placed top three: Owen Catlett (first), Ella Grogan (second), and Adam Vasant (third).
First place winner senior Catlett wrote, "We take for granted the genius of the Constitution and the vision the founding fathers had for our government. The Constitution defines our daily life as Americans whether we think about it or not. The United States itself is an extraordinary accomplishment."
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This contest required participants to write a maximum of 800 words on what the Constitution means to them personally. AP US Government and Politics teacher Kenneth Hanson had his AP US Government and Politics classes submit the essay as an assignment grade.
From there Hanson chose what he felt to be the top five essays he received and sent them to LRHS social studies chairman Patricia Haeussler. She then took those essays to be judged.
Second place winner Grogan wrote, "The Constitution establishes my daily fundamental freedoms we as Americans so often take for granted."
Third place winner Vasant stated, "As Americans it is important that we think critically about the significance the constitution plays in our way of life. Free speech and freedom of the press is a defining factor when it comes to American politics."