WESTPORT–Staples High School junior Kaila Patel and sophomore Liam Harrison have won the 2026 Teen Diversity Essay Contest held by TEAM Westport in partnership with the Westport Public Library, with their essays about the Declaration of Independence.

The two scholars were honored in a ceremony at the library last night, at which they read their essays to the audience.

Patel won first place, with a $1,000 prize, for her essay, “The Declaration of Independence: A Foundation, Not a Finish Line.”

Harrison won second place, $750, with “Codex Officil Populi” (Official Code of the People).

TEAM Westport chose the Declaration of Independence as this year’s contest theme in honor of America 250, the nation’s semiquincentennial.

The judges for this year’s contest, all writers, were:

• Michele Rubin,  (Chief Judge) Director of Education, Programming and Development, Westport Museum for History and Culture
• Alex Giannini, Programs Manager, Gruber Foundation
• Shonda Rhimes, television producer, screenwriter, founder of Shondaland

“The Teen Diversity Essay Contest reflects the very best of Westport,” said First Selectman Kevin Christie. “These students engaged thoughtfully with both the ideals and the contradictions of the Declaration of Independence, and challenged all of us to keep expanding what liberty, equality and belonging truly mean in our community. Their writing, insight and civic engagement give me real optimism for Westport’s future.”

Harold Bailey, chair of TEAM Westport, said the winners kept alive the mission of the contest in its 13^th year.

“With tremendous talent and keen insight, they continue the important tradition of teen essayists whose voices help shape how we pursue inclusion, equality and engagement within our schools and town.”

Open to students in grades 9–12 who attend a public or private high school in Westport, as well as Westport residents enrolled elsewhere, the 2026 prompt invited entrants to reflect on how the values of the Declaration of Independence shape their personal perspectives and civic responsibilities. It also asked students to connect those ideals to practical community action in support of the inclusion mission of the Town of Westport and TEAM Westport.

Library Executive Director Bill Harmer said, “At a time when our nation is reflecting on 250 years of independence, these essays show that young people understand both the power of our founding ideals and the responsibility we share to make them real for everyone.”