Philadelphia student named a winner in national Congressional Essay Contest

Olivia Liao, a Sophomore at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, was recently named a national winner in the Congressional Essay Contest for high school students run by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA). Liao is one of approximately 50 winners from across the nation to receive this distinguished honor for her winning piece.

For Olivia, this achievement exemplifies her passion for engaging in civics — a passion she fostered in the classroom.
“I first learned about this contest through a poster in my AP African American Studies teacher’s classroom,” she shared. “I owe a large part of my ability to write well-structured argumentative essays to her.”

This year’s 2025-26 essay prompt was: “Describe the principles in the Declaration of Independence you believe are most important in lifting the human condition and explain how they have helped this country meet evolving challenges over our 249 years.”

“I really enjoyed writing about this year’s prompt,” she noted. “I got to talk about various aspects of American history that we have since grown from, but I also tried to emphasize that change still needs to be made.”

As a national winner, Liao will receive a full scholarship to represent Pennsylvania in the highly interactive and civics-focused Workshop Foundation’s 50th Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C. held from June 22-26, 2026. There, she will join other winning students from across the United States in a hands-on Model Congress simulation wherein participants will write and advocate for a bill. Additionally, she will be given the opportunity to meet leaders from both the federal government and private sectors. The national winners will tour the White House, congressional offices, museums, and historical landmarks.

“I am most looking forward to engaging with the other winners in D.C. and meeting with lawmakers, especially my state representatives,” she said.

Founded in 1891, the NSCDA is committed to the exploration and interpretation of this country’s complex history. Across 43 states and the District of Columbia, the NSCDA’s members are stewards of history, women of action in their communities and champions of the nation’s ongoing story. The society headquarters are located in Washington, D.C.