Lincoln Essay Competition

Congratulations to the WINNERS of Hildene’s Lincoln Essay Competition, 2026!

Hildene received 147 submissions from around the state to this year’s 8th Grade Lincoln Essay Competition, now in its 20th year. First, second, and third-place winners were chosen from each of four regions, with a two-way tie for third in one of the regions. Three honorable mentions were selected from the remaining combined pool of finalists.

The context for this year’s prompt:

For the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Hildene invited Vermont’s 8th graders to reflect on the enduring significance of America’s founding document. The Declaration of Independence set forth the idea that “all men are created equal” with certain “unalienable rights” and that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Americans have continually debated how to interpret and uphold these principles, later enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and in subsequent amendments.

Making his way to Washington for his first inauguration, Abraham Lincoln implored his fellow Americans to safeguard these principles, saying, “...I appeal to you again to constantly bear in mind that with you, and not with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office-seekers, but with you, is the question, ‘Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the latest generation?’” (Indianapolis, Feb. 11, 1861)

Soon after, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, he reflected, “I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.” He believed that its principles and the rule of law formed the moral foundation of the nation — ideals to strive toward and defend. (Indeed, his central argument against slavery was that it directly contradicted the core principles laid out in the Declaration.)

The response:

Once again, the LEC judges were impressed by how well Vermont 8th graders rose to the occasion. By connecting America’s founding principles to the present moment, students wrote compellingly about a wide range of topics, actions, and resulting implications for society at large and within their own communities. Every single student is to be commended for their thoughtful reflections. Such engagement bodes well for the continuing work of democracy and provides a beacon of hope for the future. Hildene salutes everyone who participated, with additional gratitude for the educators, parents, and guardians who provided encouragement.

The 2026 LEC prompt:

Identify one liberty or principle expressed in the Declaration of Independence and connect it to one current issue that shows how that principle is being either eroded, upheld, or strengthened in America today.

Describe the issue and explain what action(s) is being proposed or implemented to address it. (This can be, for example, by a government official or entity, a community organization, a school, a club, or an individual.)

Outline the potential impact you think these changes are having or might have, and describe how this either erodes, upholds, or strengthens the principle you’ve identified.

Finally, reflect on how this issue might affect your own life or community, and explain whether you view this development as positive, negative, or both — and why.

Region One: Grand Isle, Franklin, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Caledonia, Washington Counties

First Place, $500
Ari Weigand
Crossett Brook Middle School, Duxbury; Teacher: Ethan Cody
A Promise to History
Ari argues that while the principle of equality is the cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence and was reinforced by the 14th Amendment, systemic discrimination—especially in immigration enforcement—continues to undermine its promise. The essay emphasizes that equality in the United States has required constant defense and calls for continued action to ensure those protections are fully realized.

Second Place, $400
Sevvi Bickerstaff
Peoples Academy Middle Level, Morrisville; Teacher: Ryan VanDyk
The Electoral College: Essential or Destructive?
Sevvi maintains that the Electoral College is an outdated system which undermines democratic equality by distorting representation and allowing outcomes that do not reflect the popular vote. She contends that abolishing it would better align with the Declaration of Independence’s principles of equality and fair representation.

Third Place, $300
Sonja Dalton
All Saints Catholic Academy, Morrisville; Teacher: Josh O’Gorman
Access to Mental Health Care as an American Principle
Sonja argues that cuts to mental health funding and services undermine the unalienable right in the Declaration of Independence of the pursuit of happiness. She contends that limited access to care harms individuals and communities, and that strengthening mental health support is necessary to uphold liberty and well-being.

Region Two: Chittenden County

First Place, $500
Adeline Laughlin
Edmunds Middle School, Burlington; Teacher: Jeremy DeMink
More Than A Wall
Referencing the “Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners” clause in the Declaration of Independence, Adeline makes the argument that both physical and ideological “walls” surrounding immigration harm the United States by dividing communities and undermining its identity as a nation of immigrants. She emphasizes the economic and cultural contributions by immigrants in Vermont and calls for dismantling barriers that prevent inclusion and opportunity.

Second Place, $400
Arielle Eden Greenblatt
Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne; Teacher: Abigail Diehl-Noble
America's Religious Freedom is Under Attack
Arielle contends that increasing government involvement in promoting religion, specifically Christianity, violates the principle of liberty in the Declaration of Independence and the implicit concept of separation of church and state. Pointing to infringements by both the Trump administration and within Vermont, Arielle argues that these actions promote hate crimes, marginalize minority faiths, and threaten the freedom of individuals to practice religion independently.

Third Place, $300
Ella Bayer-Pacht
Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne; Teacher: Abigail Diehl-Noble
Access Denied: Equality Under the Law in the U.S. Today
Ella asserts that recent policies by the Trump administration targeting immigrants and other marginalized groups violate the principle of equal protection under the law. The writer contends that these actions erode trust in the justice system, especially among young people, and she calls for renewed commitment to the nation’s founding ideals of equality.

Region Three: Addison, Rutland, Bennington Counties

First Place, $500
Dylan Miksis
Maple Street School, Manchester Center; Teacher: Conor Welch
The Cost of Losing Public Media
Dylan outlines how defunding public broadcasting threatens liberty by limiting access to reliable, diverse, and independent information, especially in rural communities and as local newspapers are folding. He maintains that an informed public is essential to democracy and that weakening public media undermines the principles of self-governance rooted in the Declaration.

Second Place, $400
Peyton Allen
Rutland Middle School, Rutland; Teacher: David Cornwell
When Survival Replaces the Pursuit of Happiness
Peyton argues that the rising cost of living forces many families, including his own, to focus on basic survival rather than the pursuit of happiness. Focusing on housing affordability and economic inequality, Peyton identifies several steps that local and state agencies and organizations are pursuing to address the issue. He warns about the cascading fallout, however, if these efforts are limited or delayed.

Third Place, Tie, $300
Viva Macleod
Long Trail School, Dorset; Teacher: Ned Bewig
A Country That Has Traded Its Conscience for Borders
Viva contends that current immigration enforcement practices undermine the founding principle of equality by disproportionately targeting Latino immigrants, the vast majority of whom have no criminal records. These actions contradict the ideals of human dignity and fairness outlined in the Declaration, she argues, raising concerns about the direction of American democracy. Viva underscores the importance of individuals and organizations to challenge governmental overreach.

Third Place, Tie, $300
Oliver Mitchell
Rutland Middle School, Rutland; Teacher: David Cornwell
America, Denied Liberty
Oliver argues that recent violent incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) demonstrate a troubling erosion of liberty in the United States, particularly the rights to free speech and self-defense. The author connects these events to the Declaration of Independence and reflects on the fear these actions create for his generation and community.

Region Four: Orange, Windsor, Windham Counties

First Place, $500
Norah Wolfe
Woodstock Union Middle School, Woodstock; Teacher: Erin Hanrahan
Frozen Liberty
Norah asserts that aggressive immigration enforcement practices by ICE threaten the fundamental American principle of liberty, particularly freedom of speech and personal security. She contends that these actions create fear within communities and must be challenged to preserve the rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

Second Place, $400
Luca Mnookin
Brattleboro Area Middle School, Brattleboro; Teacher: Jessica Earp
Gender-Affirming Healthcare
Luca argues that laws restricting gender-affirming care violate the principle of liberty by interfering with individuals’ rights to make personal medical decisions. The writer contends that such policies harm mental health and deny transgender individuals equal access to essential care.

Third Place, $300
Elsa Anders
Brattleboro Area Middle School, Brattleboro; Teacher: Jessica Earp
ICE or US – A Fight For Our Founding Principles
Elsa outlines how ICE practices are undermining the principle of rule of law by disregarding due process. She also describes how ICE mistreats those in custody through unlawful deportation, mental neglect, solitary confinement and separation of families. Such actions, Elsa contends, contradict the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence and create fear within communities across the country, including her own.

3 Honorable Mentions, $200 each

Isla Dowd
Maple Street School, Manchester Center; Teacher: Conor Welch
Examining ICE Through Principles of the Declaration of Independence
Isla explores how the actions of ICE agents may conflict with the Declaration’s promise of unalienable rights, particularly those of liberty and due process. While acknowledging differing perspectives, the author emphasizes the human and community impact of immigration enforcement and the ongoing debate over its role.

Wesley Price
Mater Christi School, Burlington; Teacher: Julia Melloni
Limitations on Executive Power
Wesley points to recent unilateral military actions by President Trump and contends that they violate constitutional principles and the Declaration of Independence’s rejection of unchecked authority. He warns that expanding executive power without congressional approval threatens democracy, weakens alliances, and risks a return to imperialistic practices.

Evie Thom
Upper Valley Waldorf School, Quechee; Teacher: Devon Abbey
The Freedom to Be Ourselves
Evie argues that restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender youth violate the Declaration of Independence’s unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. She describes how essential access to such care is for well-being and contends that government interference undermines an individual’s ability to live authentically.