Mia Ramos

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.

Watch Mia’s Winning Short Film Below:

Our Interview With Mia

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

How did you hear about the contest?
I noticed the contest being promoted online and thought it would be a fun opportunity!

What inspired your work?
Despite the challenges the United States has faced, I believe many Americans take our liberties for granted. It’s shocking to see in other countries that many things we consider natural rights are not guaranteed.

What did you learn while creating your entry?
Before making my video, I hadn’t fully grasped the state of human rights in other countries, especially for women. It was very surprising to learn that in some countries today, women still lack many rights that we take for granted in the United States.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
I believe that helping facilitate discussions with my peers, whether through debate or casual conversation, is the best way to spread the word.

How do your friends respond to history or talking about the Constitution?
I’ve met many of my friends through past history classes. We initially bonded over our shared love for history, and our friendship grew from there. We all enjoy discussing various historical topics, which I find leads to fascinating conversations.

What do you love about U.S History and the forming of our government?
I love how historical documents allow us to witness the development of the United States as a nation over the years. It’s fascinating to see how our country was created from the ground up, and I think it’s a unique aspect of our history.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I’d love to visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia someday. Philadelphia is just a fantastic place to explore history.

Which American historical figure is most influential/inspirational to you?
I find Margaret Hamilton and her impact so inspirational! She played a pivotal role in helping the United States get to space and legitimized the field of software engineering, putting women on the map for technology. It’s surprising she doesn’t get more attention given her huge impact on history.

Who is your greatest role model?
I’m gonna cheat a bit and say two people, but probably my parents. They’re the hardest-working people I know and have always been there to support me, no matter what. When I grow up, I hope to be like them. Also, my brother, but I’d never let him know that!

What in your life are you most passionate about?
I’m incredibly passionate about history! No matter how much I learn about the subject, I don’t think I could ever get tired of it. Right now, I have a job teaching world history to students, and I couldn’t have found a better position!

How do you spend your free time?
I love spending time with my family and discovering new places, and DC has been the perfect spot for both! I’m a huge music and movie nerd, so I love exploring new genres (although Titanic is still the best). And of course, I also enjoy shopping!

What are your plans for the future?
Believe me, I wish I knew! But one thing I’m sure of is that I want to travel the world someday and explore every corner I can. After high school, I’m aiming to get into a good college where I can pursue whatever major I’ve settled on by then.

If you could do one super impactful thing to help people, what would it be?
I’d definitely want to do something to help reduce gun violence in the United States, whether that means improving access to mental health services or enacting new laws.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
The Constitution established the foundations of our country and outlined our rights as Americans. To this day, we retain the power to amend it, which facilitates ongoing discussions and ensures that the voice of the people drives our country’s history.

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