TheLegacyof1776.com recently recognized the winners of its 2023 Civics Scholarship Essay Contest.
The first-place winner, Jack Swartley, a 2024 graduate Central Bucks West High School, Doylestown, and the runner-up Kayla Brown is 2024 graduate of Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol.
The civics contest, now in its third year, evolved from a concern that over the past 30 years, America has become a nation increasingly characterized by partisan political and social tribalism, a loss of confidence in and distrust of many of the nation’s most critically-important and historically-trusted institutions, a growing public perception our judicial system has become politicized along ideological lines, a latent distrust of local law enforcement agencies in many minority communities, a rejection of evidence-based science, calls for censorship and limitations of speech and willingness on the part of many to endorse unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Believing today’s young adults represent the nation’s “future generations” of voters and political leaders, in 2021 TheLegacyof1776.com began sponsoring a scholarship essay contest focusing on an appreciation for and knowledge of American civics and the Constitution.
This year’s students were challenged to write a 300-500 word essay answering the question; “To what degree, if any, does the U.S. Constitution permit democratically elected or appointed public officials to prescribe elementary, secondary and collegiate school curricula, remove books from libraries, regulate classroom discussion topics, or restrict potentially offensive language used on campuses … while respecting the rights of parents, students, faculties, staffs, and the larger community who often hold dramatically differing political, religious, cultural, and social values, opinions and interests?”
A panel of 10 independent judges spanning the political spectrum read and rated each of the submissions with their collective consensus determining the first and second place awardees.
Swartley has received a $2,500 scholarship and membership to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, courtesy of the center. He was a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society and was also a member of the school’s golf team.
In addition to his notable academic achievements, Swartley has been active in community affairs, serving as a Doylestown Borough junior councilman where he focused on shaping policies that benefit local residents’ well-being and prosperity. He was also involved in making impactful decisions on all aspects of government, including budgets, economic development, community affairs, and was able to represent the council at events and parties.
Concerned about the challenges of food insecurity in his community, Swartley is a volunteer with the Bucks County Housing group; managing food collection, sorting, and distribution at their Doylestown food pantry.
He plans to enroll at Ohio State University to study economics and political science, with a long-term goal of a position in the White House after graduation.
Brown has received a $1,000 scholarship and membership to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Her commitment and determination have been evident during her high school career, graduating in just three years.
Aside from her academic successes, Brown has overcome many adversities in her life. Brown is a determined and resilient student who provides for her family by working and going to school full time. She embraces the circumstances beyond her control and uses her drive to be a better student, sister, and friend. Due to her nurturing nature, Brown has decided to hopefully one day use these skills to create a meaningful career as a nurse.
She will attend Webster University in the fall where she plans to pursue a nursing degree.
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