What it Means to Have a Great Constitution

What it Means to Have a Great Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The Preamble is famous, but the Constitution of the United States, framed by America’s Founding Fathers to form the democratic republic of our nation, has had an enduring legacy, one that has shaped the world. In 2003, Congress declared September 17, “Constitution and Citizenship Day” to bring awareness to the principles that guide our nation. Ever since, schools nationwide have focused time on learning about the U.S. Constitution and to appreciate the foundation of democracy in our country.

In September, the Sayville High School Global Affairs and History Clubs sponsored an essay contest in honor of the special day and challenged the students to respond to the following topic: Give your own definition of “civic responsibility” and explain how you fulfill this responsibility in your everyday life. 

The essays would be read and judged by members of the Social Studies department and the winners would receive a gift card. 

Mrs. Perlin and Mrs. Hart culled through forty essay and were “extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness of each essay, They were each written with strong conviction emphasizing the importance of democracy and civic duty as American citizens.”  The following were the results by grade-level: Senior: Olivia Massey, Junior: Ben Flaumenhaft, Sophomore: Loghan McNamara, Freshman: Kamryn Restivo and Best Overall: Sara Jaklitsch. Congratulations, winners!