For 13 years, Senator Bernie Sanders has asked Vermont High School students to participate in his State of the Union Essay contest. This contest challenges students to highlight issues effecting the United States and Vermont and propose solutions. This year, almost 400 Vermont students wrote essays to Sanders. Three BFA-Fairfax students were chosen as finalists.
Samantha Urbina, Alaina Rogers, and Jacob Antonovich were chosen as finalists. Their essays were submitted into the Official Record of the United States Congress. Sam wrote about the need for Latino history in Vermont schools. Alaina wrote about gun violence in America and the deep impact it has on students. Jacob's essay touched on specific changes needed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sam, Alaina, and Jacob were also part of a roundtable discussion with Senator Sanders and the other finalists in Montpelier at the State House on February 11. The BFA students were able to share their issues with the Senator, answer questions from him, and engage in conversations with the other winners.
Junior Alaina Rogers: "This was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. At first, I was nervous about discussing such prominent and complex issues with a U.S. Senator. However, it was clear that Senator Sanders wanted us to participate and contribute our ideas and that these discussions are something he enjoys doing. I felt that he took us very seriously and truly cared about what we had to say, and he treated us with the same respect that he might give thoughtful adult constituents or even other politicians"
Senior Jacob Antonovich: "It was an honor to be selected to go and discuss my ideas with Senator Sanders. I was able to vocalize my concerns to the Senator regarding the VA and the unfortunate way that veterans are being treated in this country, for all they've done they really deserve more. It was also enlightening to hear the many other opinions that were discussed by other students from across the state. I still can't believe I made Bernie laugh on three separate occasions."
Junior Samantha Urbina: "This was certainly something I never thought would happen and I am very grateful and honored to have had my essay chosen. This was a topic that I am very passionate about and I was so happy to have been given the opportunity to have my voice heard and as a Latina be able to speak up for my community and my family. It was amazing to see other students from around the state who all wrote wonderfully about important issues that we are all facing. This was definitely an experience I won’t ever forget."
Global Citizenship Teacher Joe Emery: "It was very exciting seeing Sam, Alaina, and Jacob participate in the roundtable with Senator Sanders and other Vermont students. They more than held their own sharing their views and addressing questions from Senator Sanders, especially when he was playing the devil's advocate. A common element in their essays was a deeply personal connection. It came through in their writing and their discussion with Senator Sanders and the other finalists. I encourage Sam, Alaina, and Jacob to continue to engage with our political process. Who knows, one day they could be in the position of Sanders! They would have my vote…"
You can read the essays of all the finalists here.
Photo Credits from Sanders.Senate.Gov and Kate Farley