208 entries received from across the state, age groups
AUGUSTA, MAINE – There were more than 208 entries in the Secretary of State Poster and Essay Contests this year. Submissions were received from K-12 students from across Maine.
The annual contests are designed to excite students about topics related to Maine civic education, including state history and the democratic process. The contests, which began in 2002, give educators an opportunity to intertwine Maine Civics Learning Results with art and writing composition by engaging students in a statewide competition. Students explore their individual interests by selecting topics from broad themes. All posters and essays were judged based on originality, knowledge of subject, and dedication to the contest theme.
The following students were selected as the winners:
Grades K-3, Maine Symbols Poster
- Liam Watkin – Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley (Grade 3)
Grades 4- 5, Maine History Poster
- Oliver Lantagne – Sacopee Valley Middle School, Hiram (Grade 5)
Grades 6-8, Maine Constitution Essay
- Andrea Reeve – Daniel W. Merritt School, Addison (Grade 6)
Grades 9-12, Importance of Voting and Democracy Essay
- Name withheld – Highview Christian Academy, Charleston (Grade 12)
“Every year, I am so impressed not only with the creativity of the students’ entries, but also their interest in and passion for Maine,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “It is always so much fun to read through the submissions and see what captures a child’s imagination and how they view Maine. In addition to seeing all the entries, I also had the opportunity recently to host Liam, the K-3 poster winner, and his classmates at my office and give them a tour of the State House. The questions they asked made my day and give me hope for a bright future for Maine.”
Students in Grades K-3 drew posters featuring official Maine state symbols, creating artwork that featured blueberries, moose, landlocked salmon, pine trees, and others. The 2025 winning symbols poster drawn by Liam Watkin, a third-grade student from Rangeley, showed the word “Maine” with each letter created from a Maine state symbols.
Students in grades 4 and 5 drew posters of Maine historical events, including Maine industries past and present. Entries included posters about the Civil War, Revolutionary War, the history of L.L. Bean, and the impact of New Balance. The winning poster created by Oliver Lantagne, a 5th grade student from Hiram, depicted the history of economic development in Maine, from the blueberry industry to the emergence of the hydroelectric dam.
Students in grades 6-8 wrote essays regarding what they thought is the most important aspect of the Maine State Constitution. The winning essay was written by Andrea Reeve, a 6th grade student from Addison, and explored the details of accessible voting machines.
Grades 9-12 wrote about the importance of voting and democracy. The winning essay was written by a senior from Charleston and detailed the ways in which our constitutional right to vote allows each of us to make our voice heard.
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