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HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Secretary of State Constitution Contest. Students in grades K-12 across Montana participated in this year’s contest titled “What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to Me.”
In advance of next summer’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Secretary Jacobsen encouraged students statewide to use their creativity to explore the Declaration’s impact on our country. Montana students presented outstanding submissions in various forms, including artwork, essays, poetry, music, and video. Many schools continue to incorporate Secretary Jacobsen’s contest into their lesson plans each fall.
“Every year I’m impressed by the creativity of our Montana students, as well as their personalized touch on what these founding documents mean to them,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Thank you to every student for participating in this year’s contest as we prepare to celebrate 250 years of freedom next summer!”
Three of the nine winning entries were submitted by students at Custer Public Schools in Yellowstone County, including senior Hannah Iverson.
“The American flag represents every cowboy, every farmer, every family that still believes in hard work, God, and country,” Iverson wrote. “For me, the Declaration of Independence embodies more than freedom from a King; it embodies standing tall and strong for that which you believe, even when times are difficult.”
Ennis High School has produced numerous Constitution Contest winners under the guidance of social studies teacher Kyle Boling, and this year was no exception. A pair of Ennis seniors – Harper Leonard and Hannah Stecker – were recognized for their essays.
“To me, the Declaration of Independence is a primary and fundamental stepping stone in a series of lines crossed in American history,” wrote Leonard. “It’s a model of the kind of impact I want to make on the world around me.”
The complete list of winners is available below, and Secretary Jacobsen will share entries on her Facebook page.
2025 Constitution Contest winners (alphabetical)
Ainsley Abel, Custer Schools
Payton Bird, Forsyth Schools
Kayleigh Good, E.F. Duvall JH / Deer Lodge
Thaine Harrison, Custer Schools
Hannah Iverson, Custer Schools
Kane Knuths, Jefferson Elementary / Glendive
Harper Leonard, Ennis Schools
Ian McCray, Stanford Schools
Hannah Stecker, Ennis Schools