Sariah Ross

Hi there! My name is Sariah Ross. I am 18 years old, I just completed my Freshman year at Brigham Young University Idaho, and I am currently working at a local Law Office. I grew up in Oregon, and I come from a family of four—my parents, myself, and a 16-year-old younger brother. My home and wherever my family is is my favorite place in the world.

My hobbies include reading, writing, singing, dance, doing fiber crafts, learning languages, and having deep philosophical discussions. I also enjoy going on hikes, doing puzzles, playing games, and watching movies with my family and friends.

I was a homeschool student for the entirety of my pre-secondary education. Homeschooling sparked in me a love of learning and a passion for education. It taught me the importance of being educated and that ultimately, my education is my responsibility. Through my experience with homeschooling, as well as my religious faith, I developed a deep love of truth and true principles. I love exploring ideas and building a greater understanding of the principles that govern everything around us. This led me to a love and interest in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the principles surrounding freedom and governance. I am still piecing together what my future path will look like exactly, but one thing I know is that I want it to be driven by true principles. I believe that if understood and adhered to, true principles have the capacity to change people’s lives, the trajectory of nations, and the world for the better.

Click Here to read Sariah’s Winning Essay!

Our Interview With Sariah

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes.

How did you hear about the contest?
I learned about the We The Future contest from a friend of mine. We were taking a high school class together about principles of freedom and the Supreme Court, and she shared a link to this scholarship with me and my other classmates.

What inspired your work?
I was inspired primarily by discussions I had and books I read as part of classes through my local homeschool group. That year, we read and discussed works by Montesquieu, Locke, Hume and Plutarch (philosophers whose ideas shaped those of the founders), as well as several books by Oliver DeMille. In previous years, I had studied the Constitution and Declaration of Independence and learned about the founding of our country and the lives of the founders. All of these things inspired my writing.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
Writing my essay gave me the opportunity to encapsulate much of what I had been learning in my studies at the time. It sparked in me a greater appreciation for how inspired the founders were in the system they created. It also impressed upon me how difficult it can be to know how to apply it in specific circumstances. I gained a greater understanding of what checks and balances are, as well as the nuances that distinguish the two. My definition of government branches has expanded to encompass all parts of government, including the people themselves. This brought me to the realization that there are rules and principles that govern each of these groups, not just government at the national level. Even the people have a specific part to play if the government is to function properly and freedom is to be preserved.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S. Constitution?
I plan to continue having conversations with people about the structure and principles affecting our government and freedom. I also will continue to seek a better understanding of the Constitution and freedom myself so that I can better engage with others about these ideas and principles.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I would love to visit Independence Hall! When I was 13 years old, I memorized the entire Declaration of Independence (minus the list of injuries by the king), and it has been on my bucket list ever since to recite it in the same place it was read aloud to the American people for the first time, many years ago.

What are your career plans?
Those are still a solid work in progress. Currently, I am a student at Brigham Young University Idaho where I plan to earn a degree in a Social Science, English, Philosophy, or some combination of the three. I am also considering going to Law School and doing work in that field. Generally, I enjoy work and projects that require critical thinking, organization, vision, and hold the aim of improving the world in some way. When it comes to culminating in a career, I realize that my interests could take a myriad of forms, and I look forward to finding out exactly where they’ll take me.

How do you spend you free time?
When I’m not doing school or working (both of which I enjoy), you can usually find me reading, writing, working on a craft project, or spending time with my family and friends—who would be quick to add that “spending time” often equates to finding ways to turn every conversation into a philosophical discussion.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
I think a better question would be when is a nation’s constitution not relevant to its people? As the charter for our nation, the Constitution will forever be of importance to the American people, no matter what form it takes. Even when departed from, the Constitution is important precisely because it can be held up as evidence of that fact. Just as a contract is esteemed because it is a record of a binding promise, the Constitution should be treasured as the written contract between the American people and its government. Without it, the people lose all avenues of recourse when their rights are violated, aside from acquiescent petition and revolution.

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