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.