We recently sat down with one of our “Write to Lead ” Presidential Winners, Mari Tanabe, an 11th grade student from Manitou Springs High School in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Mari tells us below where she got the inspiration for her essay  and what it’s like to be a winner with “presidential” stature.

Q: What went through your mind when you heard the news that you won the essay contest?

A: I was pretty shocked when I heard that I won the essay contest. I got a phone call right after school in the parking lot. Everything seemed a little unreal, and I didn’t realize what an amazing experience I was being presented with until after I hung up the phone.

Your essay is entitled, “Restless for Change,” how did you think of that topic?

My essay was inspired by my history and leadership classes. About every other day, someone brings in a current event. This is an article about anything related to American History or leadership, and we have discussed everything from the war in Iraq to the death penalty. When I hear about all the hardships in the world, it reminds me of how lucky I am. The issues we discuss also make me restless for change. I find it hard to sit still when I hear about the problems and the debates the world is experiencing. I almost always voice my opinion in these discussions, because I am ready to be heard. In the midst of the upcoming election, the nation is experiencing a great turning point. The issues can no longer be addressed the way they have been in the past. Our nation demands change to attend to the growing problems in the world. I know our future leaders will harness the people’s energy for change and use it to better the world.

What was your inspiration for entering the contest?

The essay started out as an extra credit project in my history and leadership classes. However, when I actually started writing the essay, I realized it was worth a lot more than a couple of points in history. I often fret over the problems from the past. I cringe when I read about events like the atomic bombs and the Holocaust in history. I am helpless to change what has happened in the past, but I have every power to change what happens in the future. I am on this earth, here and now, with the ability and voice to make a difference in the lives of others. A huge inspiration for my essay was the genocide conference I attended in Denver. One workshop I took was on the history of genocide. I have no power to stop the previous genocides that have already occurred, but I have the power to stop the current genocide in Darfur. This is the kind of change I am hoping for, and this is the change that inspired my essay. I am encouraged by the thought that every individual can do something to change the future for the better. Finally, my history and leadership teacher, Ms. O’Connor, was an inspiration for my essay. Her constant care and compassion for the world around her serves as an inspiration for the kind of person I want to be.

What is the thing you are you most excited to see or do when you’re at the Democratic National Convention?

I am most excited to be a part of such a big change at the Democratic National Convention. I feel like I will be a part of history. My dream at the Democratic National Convention would be to meet the candidate, but I am also looking forward to meeting all the state delegates and having the opportunity to hear about what they do and what they have in mind for the nation. I have never been to anything like this, so I am just excited for the experience.

What was it like to accept your award in front of all of your classmates—let alone an entire school assembly?

Most people will tell you that I am a pretty shy person. To accept the award in front of my whole school along with several video cameras was pretty scary. I expressed concern to my sister as I was sitting in the bleachers waiting for my name to be called that I was worried I might trip. Little things like that were running through my mind as I anxiously waited. It was certainly an exhilarating experience to have so many people cheering for me, but I also learned an important lesson: I don’t think I can ever become a celebrity or a movie star. One day of attention was plenty.

Do people stop you in the school hallway now that you’re such a celebrity at school?

I have received many nice compliments as I walk down the halls. Since Manitou is so small, news travels fast. Several teachers have jokingly asked for my autograph, and quite a few people told me that they saw me on the news. I am trying to keep my humility throughout the experience, but the momentary spotlight has been fun.