When Sophia Tran began working on her award-winning essay about the Bill of Rights, she did not treat it as a routine school assignment. Instead, she approached it as an opportunity to understand her role as a citizen and to engage deeply with the foundations of American democracy.
A middle school student at Grace Prep Academy, Sophia recently earned national recognition for her civics essay through a Herzog Foundation–sponsored national civics contest, an achievement reflecting both her academic dedication and Grace Prep’s emphasis on critical thinking.
Grace Prep Director of Secondary Education, Denise Webb, said Sophia’s accomplishment represents more than individual success, reflecting the intentional way middle school students are taught to think, question, and communicate.
“At this stage in their educational journey, students are learning not just content, but also how to think, how to ask good questions, analyze ideas, and communicate clearly,” Webb said. “Sophia’s achievement reflects the strength of our program and the intentional way our teachers guide students in applying their learning. Most importantly, we are proud of Sophia for demonstrating perseverance and hard work to achieve her goals.”
Grace Prep’s university-style educational model emphasizes discussion-based learning, primary source analysis, and academic writing that requires students to form claims and support them with evidence. Webb said students regularly engage with foundational documents such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, examining both their historical context and relevance today.
“Students read and wrestle with these documents,” Webb said. “They examine why they were written and consider how those principles apply in the present.”
For Sophia, that approach aligned naturally with her interests.
“I love learning pretty much all subjects, but especially history,” she said. “I have a passion for learning about American government structure and democracy.”
Sophia said her essay stood out because of the extensive research she completed before writing. She studied the full text of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, reviewing each amendment and working through the original language.
“I looked at the actual transcript of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution,” she said. “Some of the language is very wordy, and my dad, who’s a police officer, helped explain some of it in simpler terms.”
That preparation, she said, allowed her voice to come through clearly in the essay.
“I feel like you could hear my tone through my writing,” Sophia said. “It was strong. I used descriptive language and information directly from the original sources.”
Sophia’s mother, Debbie Tran, said engaging with foundational documents at the middle school level helps students understand history and their future responsibilities as citizens.
“These are living documents,” Tran said. “Students will soon be citizens with voting rights, and understanding their relevance now really matters.”
Sophia agreed, noting that studying the Bill of Rights encourages students to think critically about civic responsibility and appreciate the freedoms they often take for granted.
Grace Prep’s broader educational philosophy supports that type of engagement. The school’s university-style model allows secondary students to attend classes three days a week, giving families flexibility and students time to explore academic interests more deeply.
“If a student has a passion for history or science, there’s time to nurture that,” Debbie said. “If they need extra help in another subject, there’s time for that too.”
Webb added that Grace Prep’s mission centers on partnering with parents to develop students who are college-ready, resilient, and capable of meaningful engagement beyond the classroom.
“Sophia’s success illustrates each of these principles,” Webb said.
Outside the classroom, Sophia is deeply involved in her school and community. She is an eighth-grade student council class president, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and participates in volleyball, cheer, and basketball. She also plays piano and volunteers at her church.
“She works really hard in everything she does,” Tran said. “She always puts her best foot forward and encourages her teammates.”
Sophia credits her perseverance to her strong Christian faith.
“I’m a Christian, and I honestly can’t take the credit,” she said. “Through Him, I was given the perseverance.”
Sophia added that she is deeply thankful for the support of her family, friends, her English teacher, Mrs. Heflin, and the broader community, calling the experience “a wonderful blessing.
As she looks ahead, Sophia hopes her experience encourages other students to explore their interests without fear of perfection. “You don’t have to be the best at one thing,” she said. “But it is worth trying everything.”
Sophia with Mayor Laurie Bianco of Dalworthington Gardens
