Emmanuel Egbe & Zidane LaPlante-Dorlean (Colorado) – Best Middle School Song
Hi! My name is Emmanuel Mbianda Egbe, but everybody calls me Manny. I am creative, smart, and kind. My dad immigrated from Cameroon, Africa to the United States before I was born. I think what makes our country great is the different cultures, people, and ideas that we have here. I was born and raised in Denver, CO where I am a 7th grader at Hamilton Middle School. Hamilton is my neighborhood public school and has great kids and teachers. My favorite subjects in school are math, language arts, science, and music. I want to thank my music teacher Priscilla Shaw for entering me into this contest. When I’m not in school I like to spend time with friends and family, go to the movies, and play video games. I also like to play basketball and volleyball. After high school I want to go to college and become a mechanical engineer. If I could give any advice to kids I would tell them to keep following their dreams and do what they love.
Hi, I’m Zidane LaPlante-Dorlean, I am thirteen and I am a 7th grader at Hamilton Middle School in Denver, Colorado home of the Denver Broncos with my two moms, my older sister, and three doggies. I am a big sports person and I enjoy many subjects in school. I play baseball, flag football, basketball, and soccer, out of the sports I’ve listed my favorite sport is baseball. I’ve been playing baseball since the age of three and currently, I have been playing on the same team for almost six years. I play many positions on the team like the pitcher, third baseman, and first baseman. My favorite position is first baseman, whilst my favorite school subjects are Math, Robotics, and Social Studies. I love to hang out with my friends and play video games in my free time. My favorite place to travel is San Diago because of the beach. When me and my family go to San Diagio we stay in Carlsbad. I predict I will live near an ocean one day. When I become a 12th grader in high school I want to apply to SDSU and learn and study Ocean Biology. When I grow up I want to be an Ocean Biologist. When I’m older my dream house will be on the side of the ocean in Hawaii.
Miya Morton (Virginia) – Best High School Song
Miya is a 16-year-old in Roanoke, Virginia. With a family history that dates back to the beginning of America and a mother who came from Mainland China, Miya has a deep appreciation for the importance of our constitution and freedoms. She is honored to be the winner for Best High School Song. Miya has been playing the piano since she was 5 and writing music since she was 8. She has played as one of two main piano accompanists for Church services since 2020 and plays and sings on Wednesday night in Church youth group’s worship band. She won First prize and Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize, Golden Classical Music Award International Competition in 2021 and had the opportunity to play in the Winner’s Concert at Carnegie Hall on October 31, 2021. In June 2022, Miya sang in Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir Concert Group in New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. Along with her love for music, Miya also enjoys dancing, drawing, sewing, writing, acting, and track. Last year, she dedicated significant time to make a beautiful Quinceañera dress as a gift to a classmate whose family came from Venezuela. Miya is currently creating her own comic book Between it All on Webtoon, which is an analogy for the story of the Bible. Miya hopes to use the gifts that God has given her to further His Kingdom. With Miya’s full schedule she also excels in academics. She wants to honor God by trying her best at everything she does.
Matteo Hamzai (Virginia) – Honorable Mention High School Song
Hello, my name is Matteo Hamzai, and I am 13-years old and an 8th grader in Middle school in Virginia. I was born in Boston, MA but my family is originally from Albania, same country of origin as Mother Teresa and I am very proud of this fact.
I consider Boston my hometown and I visit my family living there multiple times a year. Most of my summers are spent at the beach in Cape Code, MA.
In my spare time, I love to read, play and watch sports, or listen to music. I listen to a variety of music, mostly country, hip hop and some classical music. I like to read books about the Civil War, World War II, and some fictional novels.
My favorite subjects in school are History, Science, and Math. I also play sports such as basketball and football. I play for my school’s varsity basketball team, and I play football out of school. Another one of my favorite hobbies is to create videos. I like to shoot videos with my friends/cousins and then editing them. My musical background includes the cello which I have played for a few years. I have grown fond of the instrument, and I hope to play it in high school.
I found out about Constituting America and their contest when they visited my school for an assembly. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given by the organization, I learned so much about the Constitution from the contest and I hope you too learn more about the Constitution of the United States of America.
Best STEM Winner
Samdeesh Thukral (Georgia) – Best Middle School STEM
I am Samdeesh Thukral, a seventh-grade student at Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee, Georgia. In my leisure time, I enjoy a diverse range of activities, including creating and playing video games, immersing myself in literature, assembling PC systems, and engaging in cricket matches. My commitment to community service is paramount in my life. I actively participate in meal donation events, contribute to road cleaning initiatives, and have been volunteering for blood donation drives since the tender age of two. Presently, I am an active member of two esteemed clubs, namely Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and DECA. Through these affiliations, I have garnered multiple victories in competitions centered around video game and mobile app development and have proudly represented my school at the national level in the History Bee.
My passion for music extends to proficiency in playing the bass clarinet as a member of my school’s band, as well as mastering the intricacies of the Tabla, an Indian percussion instrument, which I have been dedicated to since the age of seven. My journey into the realm of website creation commenced in fourth grade during virtual schooling. Presented with the choice between Google Sites and Google Docs for a project, I opted to explore the former, sparking a newfound fascination that led to the development of numerous websites. The discovery of “We the Future”, facilitated by my social studies teacher, Mrs. Weatherford, captivated me with its unique blend of historical significance and technological innovation. This platform allowed me to meld my passion for website design with my love for history, while deepening my understanding of the constitution.
Being selected as one of the winners of the “We the Future” competition has been a profound and enriching experience. I am immensely grateful to the Constituting America committee and the esteemed judges of “We the Future” for affording me this invaluable opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills. Thank you for considering my contributions and granting me the privilege of being part of this esteemed competition.
Alexandra Gusinski (Connecticut) – Best High School STEM
Alexandra Gusinski is a 16-year old sophomore from Greenwich, Connecticut where she attends Greenwich High School. She won the best High School STEM award for 2023.
Alexandra has a passion for STEM, and wholeheartedly believes that the best way to learn more about this broad web of studies is through interdisciplinary learning. Her website, “Constitution Your Way” is reflective of that. It lets users peruse through pages at their own pace and discover the constitution on their own terms, learning through connections to theater, history, science, law and more!
Within the realm of STEM, Alexandra is especially passionate about medicine. Early in her freshman year, she joined the Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) Explorer Post club and has attended numerous volunteer events to teach the community what to do in emergency situations. In late 2023, She took the 4-month intensive EMT course, and completed hours of clinical observation time in the ambulance and hospital emergency room.
Alexandra took the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam and the Connecticut State Psychomotor Exam, passing and becoming an officially certified EMT in the state of Connecticut as of January 2024. This marked a significant milestone in her pursuit of serving her community through healthcare. Currently, she volunteers as an EMT at the Greenwich EMS, working on an ambulance and responding to calls.
Alexandra actively participates in the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, being a member since she was 11 years old. She also contributes as a valued member of her high school’s Student Council and Model UN club. Among her freshman achievements are earning the Distinguished English Scholar award and being recognized as a Life Science Achievement Recipient.
Alexandra’s artistic passion encompasses film analysis, scriptwriting, animation, and filmmaking, having studied film since 8th grade, she enrolled in the UConn Early College Experience program, taking an honors Film Production course .
Outside of academics, Alexandra is a licensed PADI open water scuba diver. She became junior certified in 2018, and she completed the adult certification program in 2023. During the summer, she likes to spend her time on the beach playing volleyball. During the winter months, Alexandra enjoys skiing, a pastime she’s cherished since her childhood. Dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and sports, Alexandra has been practicing martial arts for 8 years, and has her second dan black belt in Taekwondo. She also has been a dancer at Greenwich Dance Studio for almost 8 years, practicing various styles from Jazz to Hip hop to Ballet, culminating in a yearly studio production at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center.
Caroline Andrews (Georgia) – Best College STEM
Hello! My name is Caroline Andrews. I am a 21 year old final year online student at The Master’s University. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home which cared about politics, which is why I am who I am today. I love educating students and am currently a private tutor seeking to expand my business and get involved in alternative education systems. Outside of tutoring, I love being involved at my church, baking, lifting weights, reading, and doing puzzles. I am so grateful to Constituting America for this opportunity, and to the Lord for His provision in bringing me this far.
Best Short Film Winner
Mia Ramos (Virginia) – Best High School Short Film
Mia Ramos is a current high-school junior from Fairfax, Virginia, and attends Woodson High School. She currently holds membership in both her school’s National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Mia is deeply passionate about history and currently holds a job where she teaches AP World History to help students prepare for the AP exam. She believes that history is paramount in education and that it is crucial to educate the next generation about their impact on government. She is an active participant in the military family community, volunteering as a blog editor for a military teen organization dedicated to empowering teenagers. Outside of her academic pursuits, Mia finds joy in traveling, watching films, and collecting vinyl records and CDs.
Adrian Torres, Baylon Holmes, & Carson Goodman (Indiana) – Honorable Mention High School Short Film
My name is Adrian Torres. I was born in Danville, Illinois on January 19, 2006. I am a senior at Benton Central High School. When we submitted the short film I was 17 years old. After high school I plan to attend college and major in business management. I am a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. I have played Varsity baseball for four years and Varsity Tennis for four years. I have worked at Mcalister’s Deli for two years. I spend most of my free time playing golf and spending time with my friends and family. This spring I am trying something new and competing in two varsity sports. I will end my high school career with nine varsity letters while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. My friends and I had a great time making the short film and I did the final production.
Hello everyone, my name is Carson Goodman and I am currently 17 and a senior at Benton Central Jr/Sr Highschool in Oxford, Indiana. I enjoy participating in tennis and track for my school and plan on attending Purdue University to pursue a career in atmospheric science. I enjoy spending my time with friends and family while also participating in varsity tennis and varsity track for my school. When I first heard about Constituting America from my teacher Mr. Smith, I thought that there a was a little to no chance to being acknowledged by the judges but once we got the text, we were ecstatic. I am very thankful for this opportunity and for being enlightened by it.
My name is Baylon Holmes. I was born in West Lafayette on December 16, 2005. I am a senior at Benton Central High School. When we submitted the short film I was 17 years old. After high school I am planning on attending IU Columbus to continue my academic career and play baseball. I am a member of the National Honor Society and have been nominated for The Council for Academic Excellence. I have played baseball for most of my whole life and it’s where I spend most of my free time. I am a three year varsity player and was All Conference Honorable Mention. I have also played tennis for six years and lettered every year of my high school career. I was also All Conference in tennis. I enjoy hanging with my friends and playing ping pong in my free time. For most school projects I usually make a video because I like the artistic expression it brings. I am also inspired by movies that I’ve watched like Fight Club and Taxi Driver.
Best PSA Winners
Niya Torres (Pennsylvania) – Best Middle School PSA
Niya Torres is 12 years old and is a homeschooled student from Easton, Pa. Niya is so excited to be a part of Constituting America and follow in her uncles’ footsteps as a first place winner of this awesome contest. Niya is an avid performer and loves to sing and dance in musical theater productions. She also loves to express her creativity through drawing, painting, choreographing dances, sewing clothes with her aunt, and creative writing. In her spare time, when she’s not creating something, her favorite thing to do is use her imagination and play pretend with her baby cousin, Cana
Sofia Delgado (Texas) – Honorable Mention Middle School PSA
Hi there! My name is Sofia Delgado, and I’m currently in 6th grade at Valley View ISD. At school, I’m involved in a variety of activities, including UIL academics and student council, where I hold the position of vice president. I’m also a member of the Mariachi band and love playing the violin while singing and learning new music. Outside of school, I’m a proud member of the Girl Scouts of South Texas, where I work hard to help my community and develop my leadership skills. In my free time, I enjoy reading graphic novels, listening to music, and sketching my own fashion designs. My ultimate dream is to become a famous fashion designer, study in Paris, and create my own line of fashion that represents my unique creativity and style.
Coralyn Cairns (Georgia) – Best High School PSA Script
Coralyn Cairns is a junior from Evans, Georgia and attends Lakeside High School. She is enrolled in the IB program and also enjoys many extracurricular activities. She is the president of the French National Honor Society, a junior officer of Science National Honor Society, and a member of organizations such as Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and International Thespian Society. Coralyn also participates in the swim team and musical theater. Outside of school, she volunteers at a local domestic violence shelter and teaches swim lessons. She hopes to get her bachelor’s degree in a pre-medicine pathway and, someday, become a forensic pathologist. Coralyn has been honored by Constituting America twice now, and she is very grateful for this opportunity to educate other young people about the importance of civil civic conversations!
Maryam Tunkara (Ohio) – Best High School PSA Messaging
Maryam Tunkara is a 16 year old junior from West Chester, Ohio. She attends the Butler Tech Bioscience Center. Maryam is passionate about community education. She is part of a green engineering initiative at her local mosque, aimed at changing the community’s attitude towards waste. She is also junior class representative for her school’s student government. She believes the public should have awareness of government policies and should participate in collaborative change. In her free time, she enjoys lacrosse, portrait painting, and rollerblading. Besides politics, she is also passionate about healthcare, especially in the teenaged population. In the future, she hopes to go into public health.
Neha Yalamanchi (New York) – Best High School PSA Cartoon
Neha Yalamanchi is a Staten Island, New York senior who attends Susan E Wagner High School. During her high school career, she has been a part of the Science Research Club and Debate Club and enjoys other extracurricular activities. Outside of school, Neha has collaborated with numerous community organizations to develop equitable healthcare solutions for her community. She has also led initiatives to improve social service support for young women across New York City. Once she is in college, Neha plans to major in neuroscience and journalism. Her ultimate goal is to strengthen her dedication to community health by pursuing a career as a physician. Neha believes that through this scholarship, she is so thankful to have this chance to educate the community about civic conversations.
Emily Kastens (Colorado) – Best High School PSA Cartoon
Hi! My name is Emily, and I am a 20-year-old senior at Liberty University Online, pursuing my B.Ed. in Elementary Education. I grew up in a strong Christian conservative home in Colorado, and my family inspired my love of politics. I can’t wait to find ways to integrate my passion for the Constitution and America into my future classroom!
I also love public speaking, and two of my proudest moments include representing Colorado at the 2022 American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest and speaking at the 2023 Western Conservative Summit as their Under 30 Speech Contest winner!
When I’m not doing school, teaching music lessons, or tutoring, you can find me enjoying art, puzzles, audio dramas, and writing songs on my ukulele. I would like to thank Constituting America for this amazing opportunity, my parents and siblings for always supporting me, and God for His goodness and inspiration in my life!
-Numbers 6:24-26
Best Essay Winners
Nissi Xavier (Ohio) – Best Middle School Essay
My name is Nissi Xavier. I am an eighth grader at Magsig middle school, in Centerville Ohio. I love to be involved in different activities and events! At school, I am involved in many clubs and activities such as speech and debate, orchestra, volleyball, art club, student council, student ambassadors, and more. Outside of school some of my hobbies include volleyball, reading, and playing my violin. I am also a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Volunteering is a major part in my life. I am part of a group at our local library that hosts events and fundraisers, called TAB (Teen Advisory Board). I also volunteer monthly at a senior living facility. A small group of friends and I sing songs and play music on our instruments for the seniors. It never ceases to put a smile on my face! I also volunteer at my church on Sundays at the nursery. Giving back to my community is a major aspect of my upbringing, so I enjoy doing my part to make the people around me happy. I know it’s far away, but when I graduate high school, I would like to go to med school and eventually work in the medical field, specifically as a dermatologist.
Throughout my middle school career, my favorite subject has always been social studies. I love learning about our past and current day events! I would just like to say I would not be where I am today without the many influences in my life such as my faith, teachers and friends – who inspire me and make me aspire to be the best version of myself possible.
One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6…Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. This verse never ceases to humble and remind me that all my success comes from God! Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents for always encouraging me and telling me I can succeed in anything and everything I do.
Jade Carlile (Utah) – Best High School Essay
Jade Carlile is a 16-year-old junior from Highland, UT, who loves being actively involved in her community and a variety of hobbies. She has founded both the PSI Alpha National Psychology Honor Society and the Latino Culture Society at her school and is actively engaged in Model UN, Chess Club, The Floor-Political Debate Club, and the National Honor Society within her school. Outside of school, her curiosity extends to neuroscience, and she has participated in programs at both UW and Stanford. She is also interning at The Neuro Clinic to study clinical magnetic stimulation. Beyond academics, Jade enjoys photography, cooking, baking, and is a proud member of the largest girls’ tackle football league in the country, where the game and her teammates mean everything to her.
Emily Schutte (Ohio) – Best College Essay
Emily Schutte is a sophomore at Hillsdale College studying Rhetoric and Public Address. Home for her is the innovative state of Ohio where she grew up as the middle of seven kids. Emily grew up in a household where God, music, and family were extremely important. She developed a love for her country through the patriotism of her family and through her years competing in the American Legion’s oratorical competition. While in college, she has worked as a writer for the Collegian, the college newspaper, the college’s climbing wall, and with the radio station as a newscaster. She is involved in the Catholic Society and plays viola in the college orchestra.
After college, Emily hopes to enrich her community through involvement in local politics and by starting a family in which her children will be nurtured with the same love of God, music, family, and country she is so blessed to have.
Best Social Media
Punarvash Mitta (Arizona) – Best High School Social Media Video
Punarvash Mitta is a current high-school senior in Phoenix, Arizona and attends BASIS Scottsdale. Punarvash is a Certified Nursing Assistant and conducts research at Arizona State University while interning and shadowing with multiple physicians. Aside from his medical interests, he is a National Taekwondo Champion and has his own non-profit organization known as KidsTae. He enjoys playing basketball for his school’s Varsity team and loves thrifting. He plans on pursuing the pre-med track as he hopes to help children with uncommon genetic conditions through clinical treatment and research.
Maze Gusa (Michigan) – Best College Social Media Video
Maze Gusa, 19, is currently a freshman at Northwood University pursuing her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. While she has been at Northwood University for less than a year, it is due to the amazing opportunities that have come forth from the university that even made her aware of Constituting America and the mission that they hope to accomplish. Maze would not consider herself a social media expert, but she has always loved putting together messages and finding herself in front of an audience or camera.
Outside of her studies, Maze also serves as the Michigan FFA Association’s State Vice President. In this role, she has had the chance to travel throughout Michigan and even to Indiana and Washington D.C. The whole time she has expanded the impact that agricultural education can have on an individual and shared the FFA’s Mission of “premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”
When she is not busy with school or FFA, Maze loves to grab a good book, go for a walk, or bake up delicious treats like French macarons and cake pops. One day, Maze hopes to become an event planner or an inspirational speaker. It is by the grace of God that Maze has had so many wonderful experiences in her life, and she hopes to continue leaning on her Lord and Savior in everything that she does.
Best Lesson Plans
Priscilla Rahn (Colorado) – Best Teacher Lesson Plan
Priscilla was born in NYC. Her father is an army veteran and her mother is from Seoul, Korea. She received her BME from Texas Christian University. Priscilla is a 30-year veteran public school Master Teacher in Denver Public Schools; an elite distinction held by less than 1% of Colorado’s teachers. She was the first teacher in Colorado to become National Board Certified in Early Adolescent/Young Adult Music. Priscilla has worked in urban, suburban and rural schools in Texas, Colorado and Alaska as a public school teacher, principal, Regional Team Specialist, teacher evaluator/coach, Summer ELA Site Leader, high school tennis and volleyball coach and higher education Student Teacher Supervisor at Colorado Christian University. Priscilla is the 2020 Harriet Tubman “Moses” Teacher Leader of the Year recipient from The EduCtr and bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Aspen Theological Seminary.
Priscilla is married to international jazz saxophonist and record producer, Darren Rahn, and they volunteer on the worship band at their church. Priscilla is also a small business owner and loves to snowboard on her free time.