When Clark Davidson Elementary School (CDS) fourth grader, Olivia Sinness, sat down to answer a national writing contest prompt asking, "What does America mean to you?" She didn't write about monuments, fireworks, or famous landmarks. Instead, she wrote about something she believes every student deserves: a fair chance to learn.
That thoughtful perspective helped Sinness earn first place in the elementary division of America's Field Trip, a nationwide writing contest celebrating America's upcoming 250th birthday. Selected from more than 10,000 entries submitted across the country, Olivia's essay earned her first place in her age category, and an educational trip to South Carolina later this summer. Her award winning essay read:
"What America means to me is having a fair chance to learn and using my voice to help others. It’s making school equitable for someone who learns differently, like someone with an IEP. This is all because of the Civil Rights Act, which means no one is left out, and all kids get what they need to learn. It’s good to remember that even though America is turning 250 years old it is still learning just like students. Together, we can use our voices to make schools and our country even better for everyone."
Olivia's essay reflects the shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and that public schools provide the support ALL students need to reach their full potential. She connected those ideas to the nation's ongoing growth and the importance of using our voices to create positive change. The award-winning essay was not written overnight.
Olivia spent days brainstorming ideas, researching, revising, and refining her work before submitting it in February. She credits her CDS teachers Mrs. Riggs and Mrs. Dodge for helping her develop the skills that made her success possible. Through classroom writing instruction and her involvement in the CDS Lions Pride Newspaper Club, Olivia learned how to research credible information, communicate clearly, and strengthen her writing through revision. One lesson stood out in particular.
"They taught us how to use a thesaurus if we were using too many of the same words," Olivia said with a smile. Those lessons paid off as Olivia carefully crafted her response to the contest prompt. She recalled spending significant time thinking through her ideas before putting them on paper.
"The first thing I came up with to write, we had already covered the topic," Olivia said. "Mrs. Riggs and Mrs. Dodge were teaching us to have more feelings in our writing and write about things we were passionate about."
When she submitted her essay, Olivia never imagined she would finish at the top of a national competition.
"I couldn't believe it," she said of learning she had won. "I was really happy."
The excitement quickly spread throughout her family and school community. For her mother, Kayla Sinness, the award reflects more than a remarkable accomplishment. It highlights the very best of what Goddard Public Schools teachers provide students every day.
"As her mother, I am beyond proud of Olivia for advocating for those who need it most. But this also feels like a true reflection of the encouragement, instruction, and opportunities she's been given through public schools and the teachers who pour into their students each day," Kayla said.
The competition attracted more than 10,000 entries from students across the United States, with only 125 winners selected nationwide. Olivia earned the highest honor in the elementary division, an achievement that still feels surreal to her. As part of her recognition, Olivia will travel to South Carolina later this summer for a unique educational experience. The trip includes visits to historic sites, opportunities to meet fellow winners from across the country, and hands-on learning experiences connected to America's story.
She's especially excited about the chance to explore history in person and experience new adventures. While the trip will undoubtedly create lasting memories, the message at the heart of Olivia's essay remains what matters most. For Olivia, America is about making sure every student has a voice, every learner has a chance, and every person is included. It is a belief rooted in empathy, shaped by her education, and expressed through a thoughtful essay that resonated with judges across the nation.
Thanks to one young learner's willingness to use her voice, that message is now being heard from Goddard, America to every corner of the world.