Nashua Student Earns First Place in Essay Contest

During the 2014-15 school year, AARP New Hampshire and New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Political Library sponsored a 100 ^th Anniversary Essay Contest for public and private high school students enrolled in civics, government or politics courses. 

Students were asked to submit an essay about New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary and the important civic role New Hampshire citizens play in nominating our president. 

Mary Zhu, a 10 ^th grader studying AP American Government & Politics at Nashua High School South, wrote the winning essay. All the winners were honored by Governor Hassan at an awards ceremony at the State House on June 10. 

First Place Essay:  Voting – Our Primary Political Duty 

Democracy is not a government. It is not merely a group of people who govern a community, nor is it simply a form of political control exercised over citizens. Rather, democracy is a responsibility. It is a duty that must be observed by both the rulers and the ruled, who are not only bound by social contract but have also pledged to fulfill their civic obligations. Most importantly, democracy is dependent on the political participation and empowerment of the American people. 

By giving citizens an equal vote on decisions that directly affect them, elections are the fundamental means for individuals to have their voices heard. In the United States, primary elections play a significant role in nominating candidates for office. Implemented in the late 19 ^th century, the primaries were part of a movement that aimed to grant more power to the people by democratizing party nominations. Consequently, American citizens were provided with yet another avenue through which they could fulfill their political responsibilities. 

As the first presidential primary held in the United States, the New Hampshire Primary accords an early and important voice to local citizens. Although the election appears to endow state residents with a voting advantage, it also assigns a critical duty to each individual. The Primary grants NH citizens the potential to either boost or end a candidacy by adjusting expectations and altering momentum in the presidential race. However, as the renowned philosopher Voltaire once asserted, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Thus, it is imperative that all NH residents are aware of their pivotal roles in determining future presidential nominees. 

The New Hampshire Primary symbolizes the political power that originates from the American people. The election effectively reminds NH residents as well as all US citizens that an individual’s key role in democracy is to participate in public life – to become informed about public issues, to hold political leaders accountable for their actions, and to express their own opinions and interests. By emphasizing the importance of engaging in the country’s electoral process, the New Hampshire Primary ultimately strengthens the foundation of the American democracy itself. 

Other essay contest winners include:

Brian Lougee, Nashua High School South, second place

Hannah DeWitt, Kingswood Regional High School, third place

Isabel Dimou, Exeter High School, honorable mention

Gabi Kliegle, Exeter High School, honorable mention

 The other winning essays can be found online at www.anselm.edu/nhprimary100years