In this year’s State of the Union essay contest, 590 students from 50 Vermont high schools submitted 250-500 word essays on issues that included climate change, gun safety, substance use, immigration, political polarization, higher education and more. A panel of six Vermont teachers served as volunteer judges, scoring the essays and choosing the 20 finalists and three winners
Sen. Bernie Sanders has invited the 20 finalists and their families to join him for a roundtable discussion at the State House in Montpelier on Saturday, February 16.
The essays of the finalists will also be entered into the Congressional Record — the official archive of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.