Leo Marcinak

My name is Leo Marcinak. I am a ninth grader at the Heights School in Potomac, Maryland. I live in Herndon, Virginia, just under thirty miles from Washington, D.C. While I was born in Arlington, Virginia, my family moved to Illinois when I was still very young, and in 2021 we moved back to Virginia. I hope to attend Hillsdale College after I graduate.

I consider myself to be a man who knows a little about everything, but not a lot about most things (although I can talk somebody’s ear off about the Constitution). In my free time I like to read, write, make music, debate, and go on fifty-mile bike rides that take me along the Potomac River with an amazing view of D.C. I am a member of Young America’s Foundation and the National Rifle Association. Many of my classmates consider me to be the most politically-minded person in the class, and I cannot really deny that.

I believe that the United States Constitution is the greatest political document ever conceived in the history of mankind, and the fact that it has survived almost two-hundred and fifty years without failing is a testament to the greatness of a Republic such as this. Americans have an obligation to defend the Constitution at all costs, and I will stand by it no matter what anybody throws at it.

Constituting America has allowed me to put my beliefs and writings to good use, so that I may contribute to other Americans and help teach the basic facts they need to know to understand the heritage of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I prefer a dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” I think all Americans should have a deep understanding of what this means: a free nation will always have dangers as a result of the liberty bestowed by God, but without these liberties, a nation is nothing more than one with its rights guaranteed by a sheet of paper, and those same rights are at risk of being taken away at the whim of a government official. If we can remember this, I think we will find it very easy to uphold this nation to the end of time.

Click Here to read Leo’s Winning Essay

Our Interview With Leo

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

How did you hear about the contest?
My mom knows I like to compete in essays like this one, so when she told me about it, I told her I wanted to enter.

What inspired your work?
To be honest, a lot of this comes from what I feel inside. My interest and love for the United States is like a second nature. .

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
I learned more about the Articles of Confederation and why they eventually failed and I gained insight into a lot of our Founding Father’s views and opinions on that topic.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
At my school, I always have someone with whom to talk or debate, and I can never stress enough the importance on the U.S. Constitution whenever we are discussing anything about American politics. I am more than happy to talk to them about this stuff and (my favorite part), hear their opinions.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
Even though I live close to D.C., I have not been able to see everything yet I’ve wanted to see. I would love to visit the National Archives, the Supreme Court, and the White House.

What are your career plans?
There are two things I want to pursue when I am older: one, teach at my school, and (kind of a long shot), become Governor of Virginia.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time I read, write, ride my bike, spend time outdoors, go shooting, and watch and engage in debates.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
I think the Constitution is still relevant because it is the first of its kind: the first constitution to give power to the People instead of the government, and the first one to recognize unalienable, individual, God-given Rights that nobody can take away. Our Constitutional system and process allows everyone to participate. These are the things Americans strive to maintain and people around the globe aspire to achieve.

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