Runner Up: Synthia Layous, senior, Whitehall-Coplay High School, Lehigh County
My fellow Americans, today we stand at an inflection point in our nation’s history. The problems we confront—division, uncertainty, and global instability—demand not just strong leadership but a new commitment to our common values.
In these turbulent times, we must remember that our strength has always come from our unity. Our differences in opinion, background, and belief make America beautiful. Time and time again, we have proven what we can achieve when we stand together. In the aftermath of September 11th, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and recently as we battled the COVID-19 pandemic our nation came together to support one another with compassion, resilience, and a shared purpose.
But we must ask ourselves: why should it take tragedy to bring us together? Let’s carry that same spirit of unity into our everyday lives. Let’s face the challenges of inequality, climate change, and economic recovery with the same resolve we show in times of crisis.
I pledge to listen, to lead with integrity, and to fight for the needs of every American, not just those who support me. Together, we must rebuild trust in our institutions, revitalize our economy, and bridge social gaps that divide our fabric. Let us concentrate on that which brings us together: the hope of a better life for our children, the pursuit of liberty, and opportunity for all.
Today I ask you to join me in beginning this new chapter. One in which the American spirit is lifted by the brightness of a new dawn.
