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[The following essay was written by Goeun Rottmann, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Class of 2027. The essay is one of three winning submissions to the LSRHS 250th Essay Contest.]
When I was ten years old, I moved across the country. Transitioning from Brentwood, California all the way to Arlington, Massachusetts. Being privileged enough to live so close to America’s birthplace and foundation contributes to my understanding and opinionation on our country’s founding principles. That being said, I would never have experienced the same historical connection in San Francisco the way I do here. In Massachusetts, I am surrounded by reminders of the birth of our nation and how our country came to be. Living in such a historically active environment has assisted my reflection on how American qualities and promises such as liberty, equality and justice, are practiced and challenged as a nation. To add, it has further pushed me to consider further action in my community and how we can collectively stronger enforce these attributes.
Massachusetts is one of the most historically significant states of America. It is here where our Founding Fathers laid the substructure of our nation and birthed a country. As a student, it’s one thing to read about the Boston Tea Party in a textbook, it’s completely different to actually visit the harbor where crates of tea sank to the ocean floor in the name of defying a tyrant. I could be sitting in class, learning about Paul Revere’s daring midnight ride, then on the same day, ride my bike down the trail he had galloped down 250 years ago. Being surrounded by these stone monuments, ancient cemeteries and glittering buildings reminds me that our country’s democracy was not solely built on ideals but equally constructed on action. Although, they equally serve as reminders of how our nation is drifting further and further from our founding promises.
Seeing where America has gone and is still going is overwhelming and emotional as a young person on the cusp of adulthood. It is my generation that will suffer the long-term consequences of our government’s short-term actions, politically, socially, financially, and mentally. These issues range from gun violence to systemic racism, environmental distress to super-inflation. Our founding principles are actively being disgraced by the barrage of unconstitutional violations that our leaders have committed. We are quickly backtracking on equal protection under the law and lack of upholding one of the most important quotes of our nation, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” An example of these violations lie within the immigration crackdown that our leaders have administered lately. Harsh policies have separated families, thrown innocents into prison, and stripped legal protections. Many non-citizens and some even innocent, have faced harsh repercussions and unjust punishment.
On the cusp of taking action, the reality of the situation is that I am only sixteen and what I can do is limited. Though, one right I am extremely excited to exercise in adulthood, is to vote. I want to be confident that whichever ballot I check off will be a strong contribution in the decision of America’s turnout. That being said, I have a lot of older friends who had the ability to participate, but have sat out in the most recent election of November 2025. I recall talking to a friend who was eighteen at the time and passionate about change in our country, yet was hesitant on voting because he believed it would lack impact and was a “waste of time.” I strongly believe he was wrong in doing this. Young people have so much power and should never hesitate in initiating it in the battle to prevent the opposition from shaping what will form our future. Personally, I don’t let my age restrict me from taking action. Though I am unable to cast a ballot, I take smaller actions through community service, conduct a CAP (Civics Action Project) at school, and even just discussing modern day politics with a friend.
Living in such a strong historically active environment has taught me not to pass up any opportunity in doing my part. It makes me aware of how much more work there is to be done as a society. History isn’t just for admiring, it’s for reflection, transition, and most importantly, action. Whether that be voting, volunteering, or just having a simple conversation, it counts. If We the People, truly believe there is room for change in our country, then we need to take action now.
