Springville Jr. High Student’s Question Featured In Vice Presidential Debate

SPRINGVILLE, Utah – The final question of the 2020 vice presidential debate came from Brecklynn Brown, an eighth-grade student at Springville Junior High School who won a statewide essay contest held by the Utah Debate Commission and Utah State Board of Education.

More than 700 essays were submitted and judged by the Utah Debate Commission and teachers and volunteers from the University of Utah.

“It was both shocking and amazing to be able to ask a question to Vice President Pence and Senator Harris,” Brown said. “It felt good to be heard, and I appreciate their responses. I’m so glad a question that meant so much to me also meant so much to other Americans. As we were talking in my history class about the many issues happening in our country, I realized the importance of listening and respecting each other. I hope we can all try a little harder to understand one another and that we can all do our part to unite our country.”

Each essay had to be under 300 words and answer the question, “If you could ask the vice presidential candidates one question, what would you ask and why?”

Moderator Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief, read the first portion of Brown’s essay to Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris to end Wednesday’s debate.

“‘When I watch the news, all I see is arguing between Democrats and Republicans,'” Page said, quoting Brown’s essay. “‘When I watch the news, all I see is citizen fighting against citizen. When I watch the news, all I see are two candidates from opposing parties trying to tear each other down. If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along?’ Then she added, ‘Your examples could make all the difference to bring us together.'”

Nebo School District officials thanked Brown’s history teacher, Amy Burge, for encouraging and inspiring her students to submit essays.

“When I saw the contest, I thought it was perfect,” Burge said. “First, it was an opportunity for my students to really think about what is important to them, and second, it was an authentic writing experience where they had a chance to get their voices heard, and finally, it was a chance to be civically engaged.”

Brown’s full essay:

“When I watch the news, all I see is arguing between Democrats and Republicans. When I watch the news, all I see is citizen fighting against citizen. When I watch the news, all I see are two candidates from opposing parties trying to tear each other down.

“If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along? Our nation’s capital is setting a poor example of unity and respect. No matter who we are and what we stand for, we all want to be heard and we all want to be acknowledged, but no one wants to listen or understand the person on the other side of the line.

“Nothing is going to change until someone breaks this trend of arguments and anger. Each citizen is accountable, and each citizen has their agency to not allow our country to be divided by differing opinions.

“Your examples could make all the difference to bring us together. How is your presidency going to unite and heal our country?”