2023 Essay Contest Winners
NCSC's Civics Education Essay Contest gives 3rd-12th grade students the opportunity to understand and explain the importance and the role of the United States government. The contest questions are based on the 2023 American Bar Association's Law Day theme, "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration."
This year, we asked students in grades 3-8: What kind of free speech situations require a judge or police officer to get involved to keep the peace? Students in grades 9-12 are asked: Do you think students should be held to the same standard when exercising their First Amendment right to freedom of speech whether they're on or off school property?
Elementary School Winners
1st Place | Larissa Karpeles, Grade 4, Florida![]() |
2nd Place | Ilyannie Tuason Gonzalez, Grade 5, Washington![]() |
3rd Place | Stella Huang, Grade 4, Maryland![]() |
Middle School Winners
1st Place | An Nguyen, Grade 8, Utah![]() |
2nd Place | ![]() "If... freedom of speech is taken away... dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter," stated Benjamin Franklin. The First Amendment grants us the unalienable right to voice opinions without fear of government intervention. Nevertheless, it's conditional to prevent misunderstood abuse. A prominent example is threats, meaning the act results in the targeted people being unsafe from impending harm. Yelling "fire" in crowds would need judicial or police involvement. Another instance would be incitement, namely, encouraging someone to commit crimes. Essentially, freedom of speech is inviolable, assuming everyone is safe and treated fairly as a citizen." |
3rd Place | Kuvam Bhatia, Grade 8, Georgia![]() |
High School Winners
1st Place | Phoebe Wang, Grade 12, California![]() |
2nd Place | Bergen Milliren, Grade 12, Washington![]() |
3rd Place | Mariam Abaza, Grade 12, Ohio![]() |
Contest rules
Contest history
2022
Question: Which Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has made the biggest difference in people’s lives? Explain how and why.
2021
Question: What does the rule of law mean to you?
Read the press release.
Read the winning entries.
2020
Questions:
Elementary/Middle school: Why is it so important that all citizens have the right to vote?
High school: Is voting a right, privilege or responsibility? Why?