Three local EHS students, Saralynn Anderson, Matthew Mallory, and Andrew Walsh, were named finalists in this year’s Bernie Sanders State of the Union Essay Contest. The contest asked students to describe a major issue facing our country and propose what they would do to solve it. Finalists also had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with Senator Sanders and other students at a roundtable discussion.
Saralynn Anderson, who was awarded first place among the 15 finalists and 418 entries, wrote about mental health care for teens and advocated for more resources in schools.
“Being able to talk about an issue that is so important to me, like mental health care, was really meaningful,” she said.
She enjoyed connecting with other students who were passionate about making change.
“I met so many people advocating for change across many issues, and I connected with those who believed in making a difference,” Anderson said.
Junior Matthew Mallory wrote about transportation infrastructure and how communities are affected by funding cuts and corporate influence.
“I feel transportation is a pressing issue that’s not talked about enough,” Mallory said.
He also noted the role of corporations.
Mallory said that “interested corporations (big oil) giving campaign money to candidates opposed to transportation funding” makes this an even more pressing concern.
At the roundtable, Matthew enjoyed hearing about other students’ essays and sharing insights.
“My experience with the Bernie Essay Contest was amazing,” he said.
Another finalist, Andrew Walsh, focused on the cost of sustainable living and proposed a bill to make sustainable products more affordable based on household income.
“The idea came from an AP Environmental Science assignment where I had to plan a fully sustainable meal, and I was struck by how expensive it was,” Walsh said.
He said that simply buying local doesn’t work for the majority of Americans already living paycheck to paycheck.
Walsh plans to expand this research into future school projects, including his AP Environmental Science final project and STEM Academy senior capstone. He added that the contest solidified his future goals.
“I’m hoping to study environmental economics in college, so this kind of work, connecting ecological issues with economic policy, is exactly what I want to keep doing,” he said.
Although Senator Sanders could not attend in person, he joined the discussion via Zoom. The students said it was inspiring to hear his perspective and to share their own ideas with someone active in politics for decades.
Matthew noted that the essay graders were looking for “less mainstream topics” to spark more interesting and thoughtful discussions, which made the experience unique and engaging for all participants.
An independent panel of volunteer Vermont educators carefully evaluates essays in the Bernie Sanders State of the Union Essay Contest. The panel includes teachers and other education professionals who bring a range of experience to the judging process.
They grade submissions based on clarity, problem identification, and thoughtful solutions to national issues, regardless of political views. From hundreds of entries, these panelists select 15-20 finalists and ultimately choose the top three winners.
Winners and finalists are recognized and rewarded by having their essays entered into the Congressional Record.
