Annual State of the Union  
Essay Contest for High Schoolers

Deadline to Submit an Essay: January 12, 2026

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Each year, the president of the United States delivers a “State of the Union” speech to Congress to report on the state of our country and outline priorities for the coming year. For the past 15 years, I have invited Vermont high school students to ask themselves: If I were the president delivering the State of the Union address, what would I say? What is one major issue facing our country and how would I propose to solve it?

Throughout the years, we have received incredibly thoughtful responses on everything from climate change to racial justice, mental health care to immigration reform, education to political polarization and much, much more.

Vermont high school students can make their voices heard once again by participating in my 16th annual State of the Union Essay Contest, which is now officially open!

Submit an essay HERE!

If you are a Vermont high school student who wants your voice heard, please submit your 250-500-word essay by January 12, 2026. An independent panel of Vermont educators will judge the essays on how well students explain the issue and offer a thoughtful solution. Political views don’t matter. What matters is clarity and a willingness to take on tough problems. Following the contest, I will submit the finalists’ essays into the Congressional Record, the official archive of the U.S. Congress, and invite them to join me at a roundtable discussion at the Vermont State House.

You can help spread the word. Forward this newsletter to a high school student in your life. Share it with local teachers, school administrators or anyone who works with young people. Let’s make sure every student who wants to participate has the chance to do so.

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.

Sincerely,