Imani Laird

Imani Laird is an 18-year-old from Newton, Massachusetts, where she attended Newton South High School. She is passionate about the Constitution and government processes and aspires to be a lawyer. Imani was the Co-Section Leader of the second violin section of her orchestra. She served as President of Campaign Dialogue, her school’s climate and culture team, where spearheaded Equity Week, a weeklong campaign to make her school more knowledgeable about the different aspects of equity. She was also an appointed Peer Leader, Vice President of the Black Student Union, and Co-Captain of the Step Dance Team.

Additionally, she is proud to have served as Foundation Chair for the Mercer County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. Additionally, she is proud to have served as Foundation Chair for the Mercer County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, where she raised $13,000, and as a summer intern in the office of NJ Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson, where she worked on the Sickle Cell Initiative and aided the passage of Bill A-4052 which appropriates $10,200,000 for a three-year sickle cell center pilot program. She wants to thank her mom for being her biggest supporter, and she wouldn’t be where she is today without her.

Watch Imani’s Winning PSA Below:

Our Interview With Imani

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes, I decided to enter for the first time last year, and seeing an option for a PSA entry only reaffirmed my decision to apply, as I love making videos!

How did you hear about the contest?
I found out about the contest through a scholarship website and thought it would be a great chance to showcase my thoughts on the Constitution, given I plan to major in political science on the pre-law track.

What inspired your work?
I was sitting down, trying to think about ways the Constitution affects me, and then I realized that even being able to sit in peace and write a script for PSA was because of the rights granted to me through the Constitution. So, I based my PSA on that.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
While working on my entry, I re-learned about specific U.S. Constitution amendments. Most people, including myself, know what rights are guaranteed in the First Amendment, but the Fourth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments may be more challenging to recall.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S. Constitution?
I’m planning to share the Constitution with my peers by simply connecting with them when they complain about something and reminding them that we have rights. This will help everyone understand its importance.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I’d love to visit the Lincoln Memorial again because it has so much history, and the last time I went, I was too young to appreciate it.

What are your career plans?
I hope to pursue a career in law, as I’m passionate about civil rights.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy playing the violin in my school orchestra. It helps me connect with like-minded people, and it’s simply fun to play!

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
The Constitution remains relevant because people don’t necessarily always know their rights. It is the foundation of our nation and continues to affect us daily.

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