Student named a winner in national Congressional Essay Contest

Karsten Buchert

Fox Chapel Area High School junior Karsten Buchert was 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). Karsten is one of approximately 50 winners from across the nation and one of only three from Pennsylvania. The essay topic was to explain “whether existing defamation and libel laws are or are not sufficient to prohibit baseless AI generated and distributed content.”

As a national winner, Karsten will receive a full scholarship to attend the highly interactive and civics-focused Workshop Foundation’s 49th Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C. There, Karsten will join other winning students from across the United States in a model congress activity and will also meet leaders from both the federal government and private sectors. Additionally, the national winners will tour the White House, congressional offices, historical landmarks and museums. The seminar will be held June 23-27, 2025.

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.