As part of its Direction Democracy National Agenda series last fall, University of Delaware Center for Political Communication held its third annual Speak Up audio essay contest.
This year’s contest asked students to submit 2- to 4-minute recorded essays discussing what democracy means to them – where’s its headed - and their role as a citizen in our democracy.
Dozens of students participated, producing a wide-range personal and emotional audio essays.
10 finalists were selected and this week the first, second and third place award winners were announced.
Delaware Public Media was proud to partner with the UD Center for Political Communication on this contest and helped judge some of the entries.
In this week’s Enlighten Me, we’re proud to give you a chance to hear the top 3 essays – starting with the third place award winner Dinner Plate Democracy from sophomore Communications major Tara Lennon – who says you get what you deserve if you don’t vote, just like she did when, as a child, she answered the question “What do you want for dinner,” with “I don’t care.”
Next up the second place award winner – 2008 – from senior Media Communications major Julia Mack – who recalls the formative experience of a 5th grade mock election.
And finally – the first place winner Democracy for Minorities from UD senior communications major Rachel Sawicki.
That was UD junior communications major Rachel Sawicki and her winning Speak Up audio essay Democracy for Minorities.
You may recognize Rachel from her work as a reporter and anchor here at Delaware Public Media – but Delaware Public Media was not among the judges of her essay in this contest.
These essays been technically reproduced for broadcast by Delaware Public Media.
And you can find all 10 contest finalists here.