Whitehall High students take top honors in contest on presidential inaugural address
“I behold the surest pledges that as on one side, no local prejudices, or attachments; no separate views, nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests.” — George Washington, 1789 Inaugural Address
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy, 1961 Inaugural Address
“It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair. That’s our heritage, that’s our song. We sing it still.” — Ronald Reagan, 1985 Inaugural Address
The presidential inaugural address, given on the day a new president is sworn into office, has long produced memorable messages that resonate to this day.
In recognition of the storied address, the Committee of Seventy, a 120-year-old nonprofit and nonpartisan group from Philadelphia that promotes civic engagement, asked high school students to write essays where they acted as speechwriters for or offered advice to Republican Donald Trump as he takes his second oath of office today.
Two of the prize winners and six of the 12 honorable mention recipients are students at Whitehall High School where their social studies teacher is Steven Adams, according to a press release.
The first prize of $200 went to Miriam Feday, a Whitehall senior. Another Whitehall senior, Synthia Layous, was one of two $100 second-prize winners.
Whitehall students receiving honorable mentions include senior Austin Fares, sophomore Cameron Herring, senior Cindy Jiang, sophomore Lamitta Layous, senior Peter Raffoul and senior Braedyn Zappe.
The contest was part of the Committee of Seventy’s Can We Talk? Program, which teaches high school and college students the core principles of civil dialogue and gives them the experience of productive conversation.
Following are Miriam and Synthia’s essays. You can read a list of all winners and their essays here.
First prize: Miriam Feday, Whitehall senior
Extremism and violence undermine everything this country stands for, and we cannot let them take control. Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed the damage division can cause. We’ve seen communities torn apart by senseless violence, families torn apart by ideological divides, and hardworking Americans left behind by systems designed to uplift everyone.
These are not isolated incidents; they are a reflection of our shared values growing further and further apart. As a nation, we have the power to choose a different path, one where unity is prioritized, and our freedoms are protected.
Throughout history, our democracy has thrived most when we stood together and not when we allowed the loudest voice in the crowd to drown everyone else out.
From the Civil War to this Gilded Age, extremism has cost us. Today we have the choice to either allow hatred and fear to dictate our future, or to build a nation that reflects the best of who we truly are. This path forward will not be easy, but it is necessary.
Unity does not require uniformity, it demands compromise. It calls us to listen to who we disagree with and to find common ground when it feels impossible. We must reject the voices that build division and amplify those who believe in something greater than themselves.
Second prize: Synthia Layous, Whitehall senior
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.