Bernie Sanders announces essay contest for high school students

Finalists will be able to meet Bernie Sanders for roundtable discussions. Photo provided.

REGION – As President Trump prepares to give his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress early next year, Sanders is inviting Vermont high school students to describe what they think are the most pressing issues facing the United States and what they would do to solve them.

“Our students are the future of our country and they must be involved in the discussion about where our nation needs to go,” said Sanders, who serves on the Senate education committee. “It doesn’t matter what issues students write about, or what positions they take. What matters is that young Vermonters are engaged, and thinking about the future of our country. That’s what democracy is all about.”

A panel of Vermont teachers will judge the 250-500 word essays based on the students’ ability to describe the issue and proposed solution. The finalists will have their essays entered into the Congressional Record – the official archive of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Sanders will also hold a roundtable discussion with the finalists.

The deadline to submit an essay is Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. For more information, go to www.sanders.senate.gov/stateoftheunion/.

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