Congratulations to our Lincoln Essay Competition Winners!

For the past 18 years the Hildene organization, caretakers of the Lincoln family home in Manchester, Vermont, has administered the Lincoln Essay Competition for eighth graders in Vermont. Using Abraham Lincoln’s legacy as inspiration, the competition seeks to inspire Vermont middle schoolers to engage with important ideas and current issues.

This year’s competition used an excerpt from Lincoln’s second inaugural address to encourage students to think about social division in their own lives. When he was reelected in 1864, the president did not use the address to deliver a victory speech and thereby widen divisions. He focused instead on reuniting the nation. Urging all Americans to move forward with humility and in a spirit of reconciliation, he counseled, "with malice toward none; with charity for all... let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds."  

With this in mind, students were to answer this prompt in 500 words or less:

The United States is once again deeply divided, politically and on a host of significant issues. Briefly describe how this polarization has impacted you, your community, family, and/or school.*  Then detail one action that you or your community, family, or school could take to promote the kind of reconciliation Lincoln spoke of. Explore both the possible challenges and potential positive impacts of this action in justifying why it would be worthwhile.

This year, UVWS is pleased to announce two winners from the 8th grade class!!

Nick Melrod won First Place in Region 4. Nick observed that polarization is in large part caused by isolation, that “many Americans only engage with those who think the same way that they do and rarely connect with people on the other side of the political spectrum…” Reasoning that music connects all humans on Earth, Nick proposes that “communities across the country hold weekly jam sessions.” Gathering in public spaces, “people that don’t even speak the same language can play songs together, and music is powerful enough to break down the toughest social barriers…It’s hard not to get along while playing a song together.”

Agnes Derrendinger won Third Place in Region 4. “Nationally, polarization has led to the fracturing of community,” Agnes wrote, which “cannot thrive when built upon the unstable foundation of isolation, division, and fear.”  Bringing people with opposing views together on a common project to improve the lives of others (i.e. working on a Habitat for Humanity project together) strengthens communities. “It is actual care, concern, and social engagement,” she counsels, “that reconnects people and is at the core of strong and meaningful relationships.”

Congratulations Nick and Agnes!
Both students will be recognized with an awards luncheon at Hildene on May 18.