Isabella Lawton - Mustangs ahead

(Lakewood Ranch, FL)- Three seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Monday took the top spots for the annual Manatee Rotary Club Constitutional essay contest.

Mustangs have been in the top three spots two years in a row.

Edward Grayson won first place, Kelsi Scott second and Faith Finnegan finished third in the contest.  Grayson won $3000, Scott $1500 and Finnegan $1000.

These senior Mustangs answered what the Constitution meant to them and how they viewed it through a personal lens.

Grayson mentioned, “To me, the Constitution represents more than a set of laws written centuries ago; it represents a commitment to protecting the freedom to question authority, express ideas, and participate meaningfully in the country I live in."

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This contest gave Mustangs the opportunity to look at the Constitution in a different way than they may have over all these academic years, allowing history to bring students together on their collaborative success.

Scott wrote, "When I think or talk about the Constitution, I do not just relate it to a document written hundreds of years ago or something we learn about in history class. Instead, I think about the people who came before me and the sacrifices they made so future generations could have the freedom and capabilities, we have today."

Finnegan shared, "I enjoyed meeting new people and seeing people come from the district come together to form an event centered around honoring American history and supporting the future generation."

All three students were encouraged by Advaned Placement (AP) American Government teacher Ben Hall. 

Scott expressed, "I feel extremely accomplished and grateful that I was chosen for this competition!"

Photos - Ben Hall