To see the greatness of America through the lens of a high school senior gives a unique perspective into what it means to demonstrate national pride.  

 

Bridgeport High School senior Madison Seti had the opportunity to participate in the annual VFW Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest and not only did she win the overall local level, she also won the regional level competition, advancing her to the state level competition and the chance to win $30,000 in the national competition.

 

The scholarship competition challenges students to create 3 to 5-minute essay presentations on a given topic. The theme for this year’s competition was “What Makes America Great?” and Seti drew her inspiration from Mr. J.D. Lister’s Government class at BHS.  

 

“Mr. Lister’s class allowed me to delve deeper into many of the issues we Americans take for granted,” she said.  “By learning more about our freedoms, opportunities and the country as a whole, I was able to better appreciate how great America truly is.”

 

With her eighteenth birthday approaching, Seti is also very excited about voting in the next election. Realizing the importance of voting and the sacrifices that have been made by those who served in the Armed Forces, Seti’s essay focused on gratitude and patriotism.  

 

The daughter of Michael and Barbara Seti, Madison was surprised and humbled when she was designated as the local and regional winner of the competition.  In addition to this win, she has also won the Horace Mann Essay Contest, been named the national winner of the Drug Free Clubs of America Essay Contest, and been named a National Merit Semifinalist.

 

Seti serves as the Vice President of the National Honor Society, Editor of the BHS yearbook, and won the WV Key Club Distinguished Secretary Award for her work with the BHS chapter.  She is very involved with her local 4-H Club and plans to attend West Virginia University in the fall to pursue mechanical engineering.

 

“The VFW Voice of Democracy theme helped to remind me of how blessed we are to live in America, with its opportunities and celebrations of individuals, innovations, and culture,” she said. “I am very excited to advance to the state level and hopefully to the national level where I can win the scholarship and represent BHS.”