Dr. Robert M. Fleisher Liberty and Prosperity Award

Being a good citizen can be a very personal question, revealing different answers. For me, being a good citizen means doing three things. First, follow the rules, laws, and ideals of your community. Not only does this include the explicit rules, such as following the speed limit, no trespassing, and no theft, but also the simple, unspoken things to do. Avoid littering or driving recklessly in areas with children or animals. The laws and practices specific to your community have been shaped by the voices of citizens around you, and the respectful and empathetic thing to do is to follow them, as it is not just the government surrounding you but also the other inhabitants of your area. The second thing is getting involved in your community, at the local or even national level. Examples of this include going to local beach sweeps, volunteering at your alma mater elementary school, or even something as easy as supporting small businesses. Besides participating in preplanned activities, a good citizen takes action when they notice something that isn’t provided, and makes moves to add it. For instance, something that I believe is something that classifies myself as a good citizen is the class that I started at my local library. Noticing that the science classes at my previous elementary school, and the school that my little brother attends, have become less opportunistic as they were when I attended, I began a program at my local library, dubbed Science in the Environment. I taught biweekly classes on marine and environmental science that elementary students might not learn in school. Not only did this add value to my community, but it also gave me an opportunity to try something new. This is just one example, and there are many other different ways. The third and final aspect of a good citizen is someone who makes their voices heard. By making their opinions and thoughts heard, a good citizen drives positive change within their community. They make sure that decisions at the town level reflect the needs of the residents. Voting is integral in remaining a free nation because it empowers citizens to transform their surroundings. Society has a natural tendency to form a social hierarchy, and due to this, there is an asymmetry in power exhibited. Those in the government hold much power to make changes that benefit themselves and those closest to them, rather than those beneath them in the social hierarchy. By continuing to vote, the health of the community continues to prosper. When more people vote, a healthier community is created, which leads to the elected officials being held accountable to the community and voters themselves. Without voting, the government will likely make decisions that end up harming the community as a whole, as they have less of a well-rounded view on the current situation. With voting, all voices and opinions can be represented, making the occurring result closer to the true preference of the population as a whole. To me, the Constitution is a beginning to a neverending journey. It marks the beginning of keeping a community healthy, just, and representative of the community, but there are still more changes to go. Our country continues to evolve, and with this evolution comes the necessity for change and additions in our laws, practices, and values. The Constitution allows for this evolution, as it allows for amendments to be added, changed, or repealed, consequentially providing the opportunity for our community and country to work as well as it can, until the end of time.

Good citizenship involves more than following the law or paying taxes. It involves an active participation in your local community, usually by keeping informed, acting responsibly, and caring about your neighbors. A good citizen does not sit back or act only at times of convenience. Instead, he gets involved in the community, lends a helping hand to the needy, and takes initiative when faced with situations that need to be changed. Whether it’s through community service, involvement in local issues, or meaningful conversations about national policy, active citizenship requires both awareness and action. It’s about understanding that your voice matters, from your town hall to the Capitol. One of the most important responsibilities of a citizen in a free nation is to vote. Voting is the foundation of democracy and the most direct way we influence the future of our country. Each election, from the local school board to the presidency, directly impacts us, the people, in one way or another. We tend to think of voting mainly in national politics (like the presidency), but it comes down to your state and local governments too, including the city you reside in. By keeping informed and voting in every election, we make sure that our voice has an impact. By doing so, we keep our congressmen, senators, and even the president in check by ensuring that they do what they promised to. Not voting is the same as giving away your voice, and by extension, your power to make change politically. The exact opposite of what the founding fathers intended. The Constitution, as I see it, is a living document that defends our rights and limits the government's power. It's the foundation of our democracy and the reminder that freedom isn't free. The rights we enjoy today—speech, religion, assembly, and the right to vote—were fought and bled for, and it's up to us to preserve them by staying engaged and politically involved. My commitment to citizenship has taken various forms. As an Eagle Scout, I organized a toy drive for kids who reside in a children’s wing of a hospital, soliciting and delivering hundreds of toys to provide the gift of comfort for patients as young as two years old in unbelievably trying times. I have also been Class President, standing up for student rights and assisting in the planning of events that enhance school spirit and unity. In my AP Government and Politics class, I participated in a mock election and helped develop campaign materials as well as public opinion polls to engage my peers in the democratic process. These activities have taught me the lesson that leadership and civic responsibility are very closely connected. I intend to carry on this tradition of service in public leadership in my future career that begins with military service. Whether through local government, national defense, or volunteerism, I feel that staying involved is not a choice; it’s a necessity to protect our freedom. Keeping the torch of freedom lit is every citizen’s civic duty, including my own, and I intend to do just that.

To me, being a good citizen means more than just following laws or showing up to vote—it’s about being informed, open-minded, and willing to engage in the difficult but necessary conversations that push our society forward. I’ve come to understand this through my deep involvement in Model Congress. For the past two years, I’ve served as a Senate Chair, leading committee sessions, facilitating debates, and ensuring that all students—regardless of their political leanings—felt heard and respected. In a time where schools often shy away from political discussion out of fear of controversy, Model Congress has given me space to explore discourse in its most productive form. I’ve seen students debate the ethical implications of AI, immigration reform, and climate policy, and walk away with a better understanding of opposing views. As Chair, I had to remain neutral, guiding the discussion and maintaining order—not always easy when emotions ran high. But that experience taught me how to listen actively, ask meaningful questions, and value the art of respectful disagreement. This year, I was also selected as a party leader, where I worked closely with delegates to strategize, write bills, and collaborate across committees. I had to learn how Congress really works—filibusters, floor procedures, lobbying, party-line votes—and in doing so, I realized how complex yet essential our democratic system is. That experience made me not only more knowledgeable but also more invested in the legislative process. I now understand how change is made, where it gets stuck, and why it's so important that young people take part. Voting, in this context, becomes more than just a right—it becomes a civic duty. It’s how we hold power accountable and how we make our voices heard. Through Model Congress, I’ve seen how a single idea, when backed by evidence and presented with passion, can shift a room. That’s what voting does on a national scale. It gives people the opportunity to be part of the conversation, to influence laws that impact their lives, and to participate in the collective shaping of our future. The Constitution, to me, is the foundation that makes all of this possible. It doesn’t just grant us rights; it empowers us to use them. It protects our freedom to speak, to assemble, and to vote. And as someone who has spent years simulating its processes, I’ve gained not just an academic understanding of it—but a personal appreciation for what it enables us to do when we engage with it fully.

What Being a Good Citizen Means to Me Growing up in a family that valued public service, I learned early on that being a good citizen starts with how you treat the people around you. To me, it means doing your part to help your community. It is not just about following the law or staying out of trouble. It is about being kind to people, standing up for what is right, and being someone others can count on. I grew up with a father who spent over 40 years in law enforcement, including more than 20 as Chief of Police. Watching the way he treated others, how seriously he took his job, and how much he cared about the people he served made a big impression on me. He showed me that being a good citizen is not just about what you believe, it is about what you do. I try to follow that example in my own life. I teach martial arts to younger kids and community members, and through that I have learned how to be a leader and a mentor. I teach them about confidence, discipline, and respect—things that are important in martial arts but also in life. I also had the chance to intern with a national law enforcement organization that focuses on campus safety. I helped with planning conferences and learned how much behind the scenes work goes into protecting people. These experiences showed me how much it matters to stay involved and committed. This year, I got to vote for the first time. It was a big moment for me. Being able to participate in an election felt like a big step into adulthood. Voting matters. It is how we make our voices heard and help decide what kind of future we want. If people stop voting, then the few people who do vote are the ones making decisions for everyone else. That does not seem fair. Voting is a right, but it is also a responsibility. We live in a country where we are allowed to speak up and have a say, and we should never take that for granted. Voting helps keep our country free because it gives the people power to shape the government, not the other way around. The Constitution is the reason we have those rights. To me, it is more than just a document from history class. It is what protects our freedom of speech, religion, and the right to vote. It lays out the rules for how our country works and makes sure that no one has too much power. It is a guide that helps keep things fair and balanced. As someone who wants to go into law enforcement, I take the Constitution seriously. My dad always said that wearing a badge means more than enforcing laws, it means protecting people and respecting their rights. Being a good citizen means showing up and doing what is right, even when it is hard. It means helping others, taking part in your community, and respecting the rights and freedoms we all share. I want to continue building on what I have learned so far and grow into someone who leads by example and helps create a safer, more united community. That is what being a good citizen means to me.

From childhood nursery rhymes to high school history classes, American democracy has always been an integral part of our lives. The Pledge of Allegiance became second nature along with chanting “Mary Had a Little Lamb” as part of the daily morning routine. James Madison’s Bill of Rights was analyzed more than Hamlet. And of course, Schoolhouse Rock!’s Preamble song was more catchy than any Taylor Swift sensation. In the midst of these encounters with our nation’s governing system throughout our lives, our democracy has faced both challenges and transformations in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. These horrifying global events make it all the more imperative to reflect on what makes democracy and voting so vital. Merriam-Webster defines democracy simply as “government by the people”, but to those who fought for it, those last three words represent the very essence of our nation’s identity and future. By the people. The words “liberty and justice for all” from the Pledge of Allegiance perfectly embody a fundamental principle of our democracy: individual freedom. While the Constitution directly incorporates inalienable rights into its pages, this liberty goes far beyond the privilege to vote in an election; we also carry the responsibility to engage in protecting the rights of all citizens. This ideology has become especially important in light of social and political movements addressing discrimination, inequality, and prejudice in our marginalized communities. From the civil rights movement to current debates about gender and LGBTQ rights, the right to take a stand as an individual is an empowering aspect of our democracy. In addition to ensuring every citizen has a stake in shaping the nation’s future through independent rights, democracy also prioritizes decision making as a group. The very Supreme Law of our Land, the Constitution, is not the masterpiece of a single person, but rather a shared vision for a just and harmonious society against the authoritarian British monarchy. Collaboration in the US democratic system fosters a culture of open dialogue and debate unlike any other governing body in the world. Ordinary citizens are encouraged to take on the political stage and actually express opinions of all backgrounds and advocate for changes that are meaningful to us and our communities, no matter the race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Another cornerstone of our democracy is our emphasis on accountability. Elected officials are held responsible for their decisions and impact on enacting the needs and aspirations of the people. The checks and balances system in essence safeguards our democracy against becoming stagnant or autocratic and are essential components of the democratic framework. The level of transparency in the independent judiciary and branches of government protect the rights of all citizens. Democracy isn’t a static concept: it is a living and breathing entity dependent on the active engagement from its citizens. In a time when division and violence threaten to pull us apart, it is our democracy that binds us together, providing a common goal to achieve. Democracy is more than just a dictionary definition. It’s the heartbeat of our nation, the collective symphony of voices shaping its politics, its economy, and its destiny. It’s the compass guiding us through the labyrinth of liberty, reminding us of the living, breathing commitment to the ideals that unite our strength and diversity, making it a unique and invaluable system of governance. We owe it to ourselves, our fellow citizens, and future generations to protect and nurture the democracy that defines us and to ensure that its light continues to shine brightly in an often tumultuous world.