Abigail Shipley

Howdy! I’m Abigail Shipley from the Lone Star State of Texas. My personal interests include video editing, photography, and digital drawing. I like making videos to express myself and my creative ideas. When I was eight, I taught myself how to edit videos on my phone, and throughout the years I began to love it. I slowly started using basic applications to then transitioned to more advanced software, including 3D graphics and animation. At school, I edit the volleyball segments for my school’s News Network called BBTV. I also love hanging out with my friends, my family, playing volleyball, video games, playing my clarinet and trying new foods. I’m part of my school’s elite volleyball team and Honors band ensemble. In the future, I dream of traveling the world, meeting new people, learning about their cultures and food, and becoming a professional volleyball player.

Watch Abigail’s Winning PSA Below:

Our Interview With Abigail

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes, it is my first time.

How did you hear about the contest?
I’m a video editor at my school’s tv channel, so I look for opportunities to show my work.

What inspired your work?
My inspiration came from learning about how rights have changed over the years, like women having the right to vote and going to school and work. I did not have someone to help me on the project, so I decided to do it independently, doubling up my role.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
I learned how important it is for every American to understand the Bill of Rights. For me, freedom of speech is important because it allows people to express themselves creatively, feel confident and maybe inspire others to do the same.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
First, I am going to share with my friends that I won a contest and they’ll likely hear about it in the principal’s weekly newsletter. This will give me a chance to bring up the importance of the U.S. Constitution, especially in our History class discussions. One question I can ask is, “How do you understand the Constitution?” That is how I made my video, showing our rights apply to everyday choices, like voting in class to decide if we submit an assignment on paper or online. Even to make my own videos and do them without anybody telling me how to.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I would love to visit the White House because it’s where our presidents have lived and met with other important political leaders. You can find portraits of all presidents, and I would like to see Michelle Obama’s photo, as she was the first African American First Lady and is admired by many people. She was known for encouraging women to reach for their goals.

What are your career plans?
I’m still thinking about it, maybe something related to engineering or video editing.

How do you spend your free time?
I play volleyball, play my clarinet, do digital drawing and work on video creation and editing. As the video editor for the school’s 7th grade volleyball segment, I will probably continue doing it for other sports or to promote a new club at school.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
The Constitution supports our rights and freedoms within our communities and the country. Having a variety of laws as a guide for what is right and wrong, help us understand our boundaries while respecting the goals and freedoms of others.

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