2025 Voices of Democracy Student Writing Contest

The Center for Community Partnerships and the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Voices of Democracy Student Writing Contest. The contest invited 6th–12th grade students in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County, whether attending public, private, or homeschool programs, to reflect on the theme, “Democracy in a Digital World.” Submissions were open from September 1 to 26. We selected our first-, second-, and third-place winners, along with an honorable mention, from 141 submissions by local public, private, and homeschooled students. Students’ personal insights and creative reflections truly shone through their work, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.

Winners were selected from three age groups: 6th to 8th graders, 9th to 10th graders, and 11th to 12th graders. With 141 thoughtful submissions, the panel of judges selected the following six winners and honorable mentions:

Grand Prize Winner

• Winner: William "Liam" Meador, Grade 10, Western Albemarle High School
  >>> Read Liam's submission here
  >>> Watch Liam's reading here

Runner Up Prize Winner

• Winner: Lennox Meslar, Grade 6, Joseph T. Henley Middle School
  >>> Read Lennox's submission here
  >>> Watch Lennox's reading here

3rd Place Winner

• Winner: Gabriel Guex Petros, Grade 7, Jackson P. Burley Middle School
  >>> Read Gabriel's submission here
  >>> Watch Gabriel's reading here

Honorable Mentions

• Milan Mookerjee, Grade 11, Albemarle High School
  >>> Read Milan's submission here
  >>> Watch Milan's reading here

The first-place winner received a $500 prize; the second-place winner received $250; the third-place winner received $100, and the honorable mention recipient received $50. In addition to the cash prizes, first-place winner Liam Meador read his submission at a private UVA reception, where attendees enjoyed a screening of the second and third place winners and honorable mention recipient reading their submissions in the videos above.

We are grateful for our panel of judges: Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) Administrator Karen Waters; Director of Community Voices Sharon Harris; Charlottesville Area Community Foundation Donor Relations Manager Daniel Fairley; Associate Professor of Environmental and Urban Planning at UVA Barbara Brown Wilson; UVA student Samman Akbarzada; ACPS Gifted Resource Teacher Natalie Capps; and UVA Alumni Naomi Shumpert and Jessiah Lucien. 

The essays provided a rich exploration of how democracy affects the daily lives of students and their communities. Teachers in Charlottesville and Albemarle County also incorporated the contest’s prompts as an instructional tool, helping students engage deeply with the concept of democracy and its relationship with technology.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding work and for enriching our understanding of what democracy means to the next generation.

For more information, contact Sydney Shuler, Assistant Director of Communications, at vrh7de@virginia.edu.