15th Annual State of the Union Essay Contest

Deadline to Submit an Essay: January 14, 2025

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Great ideas can come from anyone – not just those in power.

Which is why I am happy to announce that my 15th annual State of the Union Essay Contest for Vermont high school students is now open! The contest is an opportunity for students to ask themselves: If I were the President of the United States and I was delivering the State of the Union address before Congress, the nation, and the world, what would I say? What is one major issue facing our country and how would I propose solving it?

You wouldn’t believe the thoughtful responses we’ve received over the years on everything from climate change and racial justice to mental health care, immigration reform, poverty, education, political polarization, and more. Young people have good ideas, and they deserve an opportunity to engage on the major issues facing all of us today.

Submit an essay HERE!

I hope all Vermont high school students will make their voices heard by submitting an essay at the link above by the deadline on January 14, 2025. A volunteer panel of Vermont educators will judge the essays on the students’ ability to articulate an issue and propose a solution, without regard to the students’ political views. Following the contest, the finalists will be invited to join me at a roundtable discussion at the Vermont State House, and their essays will be entered into the Congressional Record – the official archive of the U.S. Congress.

Please help me spread the word by forwarding this newsletter along! For more information see my website at https://www.sanders.senate.gov/stateoftheunion/ or call my office at (800) 339-9834 or 802-862-0697.

I look forward to hearing from you!