By JENNIFER MCKERLEY
LAFRW

On April 25, members, friends and guests of the Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) filled Fuller Lodge for a Freedom Tea, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Attendees enjoyed tea, a variety of snacks and desserts, and competing in a silent auction. President Linda Bullock officiated the event, and after the prayer and pledge, Ramona Goolsby presented the keynote address.

Goolsby is the Republican candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, the office that oversees
the state’s elections, campaign finance reporting, and government transparency functions. She is
a Rio Rancho resident and newly seated member of the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation
District Board. As a retired nurse practitioner and veteran, she draws on a background of
healthcare, agriculture, civic advocacy and local government. Goolsby stated that her priorities
are to protect election integrity, enforce election finance statutes, and bring real transparency to
New Mexico’s government.

Holly Wilson spoke for Jason Chappell who is running for the Los Alamos County Council. Chappell is a veteran who served in Germany and Iraq during the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the Assistant Store Leader at Smith’s Marketplace and serves on the local Transportation Board, the Library Board and as Vice Chair of the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union Baord. Chappell is running for County Council because he wants to spend money only where it directly serves residents; give the community a voice at the beginning of issues, not after decisions are made; and remove impediments to small business success.

Eric Stromberg, also a candidate for the County Council, is a 13-year resident. Stromberg has served on the Board of Public Utilities for six years. He expressed his concerns that the County Council only hears from a small part of the community. Busy residents lack time to follow all county activities, and information relevant to the community can be difficult to find on the County website. Many residents have felt inadequately informed or considered in Council decisions. He stressed that he approaches issues with holistic, logical and critical thinking. If elected to the County Council, his goals are to oppose initiatives in which the Council tries to dictate how people live; question mandates that serve only a small part of the community; support small businesses and be accessible to the community.

Attendees also enjoyed hearing the six winners of the 2026 U.S. Constitution Essay Contest read their essays. The LAFRW started the contest in 2015. The contest is designed to challenge students to learn more about the U. S. Constitution and to express original, thoughtful ideas in essay writing.

The students in grades 4-6, middle school and high school all addressed the same essay topic: In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, discuss the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. How did one impact the other to foster and sustain our country’s longevity? Support and defend your ideas.

High School Winners:

• 1st Place, Brooke Smidt ($400);
• 2nd Place, Matias Rodriguez Lazarte ($200).

Middle School Winners:

• 1st Place, McKindrey Parkinson ($200);
• 2nd Place, Tristan Olsen ($100).

Grades 4-6 Winners:

• 1st Place, Calise Parkinson $100;
• 2nd Place, Bayley Ferguson ($50).

President Bullock concluded the event with information about the steady growth of the award-winning Los Alamos chapter, a member of the NMFRW and the National Federated Republican Women, founded in 1938. The local chapter started in 1954 and has won two national awards and five state awards for substantial volunteer campaign hours, and training and educating members.

Upcoming events for the chapter are recognition of the Los Alamos Police Department during National Police Week on May 15, 2026, the New Mexico Judges Project and a presentation by American Prosperity project leaders later this year.

From left, Leila Lazarte, Matias Rodriquez, Dagner Rodriquez (back row) and Joaquin Rodriquez (front row). The Ferguson family: Adriano, Mandy, Michael and Bayley. Far right, LAFRW President Linda Bullock and Keynote Speaker Ramona Goolsby. Ferguson relatives attending, but not shown: Joseph Cortez, Babbie Cortez and Liliana Cortez. Courtesy/LAFRW

LAFRW President Linda Bullock addresses attendees at the Freedom Tea at Fuller Lodge. Courtesy/LAFRW

Winning Essays

The Constitution and Declaration, Hand in Hand

By Brooke Smidt
First Place High School

America has been a young, thriving country for the last 249 years and continues to flourish to this day. The country’s prosperity and longevity are no secret, but are rooted in three factors: its passionate people, faith in God, and foundational systems designed for advancement. The Declaration of Independence, as well as the American Constitution, work together to serve as the nation’s cornerstone, underpinning this ongoing success.

Our founding fathers wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence with a clear purpose- constructing the rights of freedom and continuing to give every American citizen these freedoms. Passionate about building a working nation, they paid attention to every detail. The Constitution is considered a living document, for the reason that it was “deliberately written in the present tense” (American Battlefield Trust) to keep it suitable for America today, 238 years later. Because of this foresight, the document was intended to support America’s prosperity and relevance over time. Consequently, since the founding fathers established the nation and wrote these foundational documents, our country has the potential to thrive for many years to come.

We would not have been able to have this country without the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration announced to the world that America was officially its own independent country, no longer run by Britain, but by our own people who had fought for this freedom. Interestingly enough, the “War for Independence [was] a product of the Enlightenment” (American Battlefield Trust). Enlightenment is a time of change in spirituality, art, science, and knowledge, and usually makes a positive change in the world. This independent enlightenment that Americans went through changed the world for the better, and the Declaration of Independence is a document that proves just that. Thomas Paine was an immense influence for this when he published his pamphlet that argued “ordinary people had the capacity to govern themselves” (American Battlefield Trust). This inspired people to revolt against Britain and become an independent nation. Without this independence, America would still have been under the rule of a king. In doing so, America would not have been able to achieve the enlightenment it did without the progression of becoming a nation.

Not only did the Declaration of Independence declare America’s freedom, but it also established important principles Americans still live by today. It is made known that as Americans, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence). However, nowhere in this declaration did they set up a government to protect these American rights. Consequently, that is where the constitution comes in. The Constitution can be seen as the enforcement of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration exclaims freedom, but the Constitution fulfills these freedoms through checks and balances. These two documents go hand in hand to ensure and secure these freedoms.

Many Americans today are concerned that the future of America is in jeopardy. I, for one, disagree: “For nearly two and a half centuries, these documents have guided the nation through war, growth, and change while continuing to protect the freedoms they first promised” (National Archives). I believe as long as we stay faithful to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence without altering these documents, we can figure out how to overcome any problem, due to the fact that these documents have taken our country through so much already. These two records can continue to help our country stay strong, no matter who is in power, if we continue to use them like the tools they are. If we continue to look towards the future with the stability of the past, we will be able to continue to prosper.

Work Cited

“America’s Founding Documents.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026. “From Declaration to Constitution.” American Battlefield Trust, www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/declaration-constitution. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

The Relation Between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States

By Matias Rodriquez Lazarte
Second Place High School

The history of the United States is deeply marked by two fundamental documents: the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787). Although they were written at different times and for different purposes, both documents are related. The Declaration of Independence established the principles and values that justify the independence of the American colonies, while the Constitution created the system of government designed to protect those ideas. Together these documents helped to form a stable and beautiful nation, helping its longevity.

The Declaration of Independence, principally written by Thomas Jefferson, was created to explain the why the thirteen colonies decided to separate of the British domain rule. This document presents fundamental ideas about human rights and the purpose of the government. One of its most important principles is that “all Men are created equal” (Declaration Of Independence, 1776) and who possess natural rights, such as life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, the Declaration affirms that government exists to protect these rights and that they derive their power from the consent of the government. If a government doesn’t meet this responsibility, the people have the right to change or abolish it.

These philosophical ideas had become the moral and political foundation upon which the American government was built. However, the Declaration of Independence did not establish a concrete structure of government. After getting their Independence, the colonies adopted the Articles  of Confederation, but this system resulted in being proved weak and not effective for governing a growing nation. As a result. In 1787 the Constitution of the United States was written.

The Constitution took up many of the principles established in the Declaration of Independence and transformed them into a practical system of government. For example, the idea that the power comes from the people is reflected in the famous opening phrase of the Constitution: “We the People” (United States Constitution). This shows that the governmental authority is based on the will of the citizens, not on a monarch or on an external authority. In addition, the Constitution created a structure with three branches of government: the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch. This system of separation of powers was designed to prevent a single person, or a small group had too much power, which helped protect the human rights mentioned in the Declaration.

Another important element is the system of checks and balances. This system ensures that each branch has the capacity to limit each other’s power, preventing abuse of authority. This principle reflects the insecurity of the absolute power which had already been expressed in the Declaration of independence when it said that King Jorge III abused the colonies (Declaration of Independence, 1776).

Furthermore, the Constitution was subsequently supplemented by the Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments. These amendments ensure fundamental freedoms like freedom to express, the religion freedom and the right to be fairly treated. This way, the Constitution reinforced the legal and structural way the ideals of liberty and the natural rights that had been proclaimed in the Declaration.

The relationship between both documents also contributed to the stability and longevity of the country. The Declaration of Independence shows the moral vision and the fundamental values of the nation, while the Constitution offers the institutional framework that allows those fundamental values remain and they adapt with the time.  Thanks to the process of amendments, the Constitution can change to answer the new circumstances without losing its core principles.

As has been demonstrated, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are both deeply connected. The Declaration established the ideals of liberty, equality, and natural rights, while the Constitution created the system of government necessary to protect those ideals. Together, these two fundamental pieces had allowed that the United States maintain a stable political structure for over than two centuries. Proving how the principles and the institutions can work together to support nation.

The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and Ideals for Liberty

By McKindrey Parkinson
First Place Middle School

George Washington declared “The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.” This ideal is found in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Both documents defend the importance of individual rights, as well as representation for the people, and the balance of power among branches of government. These documents have “secured the blessings of liberty” for our forefathers, and will continue to foster freedom for our posterity.

Lack of individual rights was a key reason why colonists declared independence from British rule. In the Declaration, the founding fathers protested oppressions such as requiring payment of taxes without representation, cutting off colonists’ trade, and denying them just trials. These oppressions prevented them from enjoying essential rights– life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The framers of the Constitution included a Bill of Rights to protect specific rights they knew to be foundational to prosperity– freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, fair trial by jury, and more. Without these protected rights, our nation would not have flourished into the Empire of Liberty that it is today.

The Declaration of Independence also advocated for representation in the government. The English government had passed many taxes which denied the colonists’ prosperity and opportunity to have a say in how they were ruled. As James Otis, a lawyer from Massachusetts said, “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” These experiences impacted the articles of the Constitution, which include elected representatives serving in the government, and an elected president leading the country.  We should not take for granted this ideal that has sustained our country for centuries.

The imbalance of power between the people, parliament, and the King infuriated the colonists. The Declaration of Independence describes how the King of England abused his position by preventing local governments from passing laws that were “wholesome and necessary for the public good,” making judges dependent upon his good will, dissolving representative houses that stood up to him, and more. These grievances impacted the writing of the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution ensured there would be a balance of power between three branches of government in the United States. Furthermore, they emphasized a limited federal government, so that local governments could create the best laws for their communities and states. This Constitution has been so successful, it has heavily influenced the construction of governments worldwide.

The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution changed the world! If these documents had not protected individual rights, allowed subjects fair representation in the government, and balanced the power of government branches, the United States would be a very different nation, and our world a darker place. Although our Declaration of Independence was initially supported by no more than “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence” and a mutual pledge of the founders “lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor,” our nation has proven to be founded on cohesive ideals that sustain liberty for all.

The Declaration of Independence and Constitution

By Tristan Olsen
Second Place Middle School

The Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States was written on July 4th, 1776 and September 17th, 1787 by the seven founding fathers of the United States (Office of the Historian). The Declaration of Independence was to show England that we want to be a free country and do not want to be ruled by them. The Constitution of the United States was a very important set of rules that made all of the states be fair to each other and let their people have individual rights and privileges. There are multiple relationships between the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence was meant to show Great Britain that we wanted to be a free country. So that led George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to create the Declaration of Independence (U.S Department of War). The main quote from the Declaration of Independence is: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This quote is similar to the Constitution of the United States because it’s mostly about individual rights, fairness and equality to everyone, by freeing us from Great Britain and by not controlling us so that we have the right to have free speech and all be free.

The Constitution of the United States was a set of rules made by fifty five people and there were nine of the thirteen states who came and helped write the Constitution of the United States. Then it was sent to be approved by the governors of Delaware , followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina (United States Census Bureau). All of the state governors approved of the Constitution of the United States and it became an official set of rules for every thirteen states at the time. As the United States grew with more and more states and governors, the Constitution of the United States was approved with every single governor. This relates to the Declaration of Independence because the constitution was meant to have a stronger government and community within our country, all while being approved by a few governors of Great Britain and state governors. One of the reasons why the Constitution was made was because, when the Declaration of Independence was made and we were free from Great Britain we would be in total chaos without the Constitution and its laws, the reason why is because we would have so much power that we wouldn’t know what to do with it.

There are multiple relationships between the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, for instance, letting the United States become a free individual country having fairness, rights, and privileges with each other inside of our country, as well as having the seven founding fathers doing their hardest to make our country free and have a well planned organization within our country.

Works Cited

Office of the Historian. The Declaration of Independence, 1776. https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4222082/founding-father-facts-contributions-to-creating-country/#:~:text=The%20seven%20Founding%20Fathers%20of,Jefferson%2C%20James%20Madison%20and%20Georgehttps://www.census.gov/about/history/stories/monthly/2023/june-2023.html#:~:text=With%20the%20most%20contentious%20issues,for%20debate%20and%20ratification%20vote

The Sustaining Force of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution

By Calise Parkinson 
First Place Grades 4-6

There were many who doubted that the United States would survive as a nation. Centuries later, our nation is the strongest and most successful in the world. This success is due in large part to The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.  Both documents argue for representation of the people in the government, protecting the rights of citizens, and providing a better future for Americans. These ideas, born in the Declaration and built upon in the Constitution, have sustained our country for 250 years.

The American colonists did not have representation in the English Parliament and had no say in how they were governed. Consequently, the framers of the Constitution made certain that representation in the government was ensured with democratically elected congressmen. The President of the United States is also elected by the people, so the will of the people is represented in the highest office of the government. This representation-based government has ensured that citizens have a voice in their own government.

Another wrong experienced by colonists was the English King’s refusal to give colonists basic rights. Americans wanted certain rights protected by law. The Declaration emphasizes “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Bill of Rights promises citizens freedom of worship, free speech, trial by jury, and more. Both the Declaration and Constitution call for a government that values and protects the rights of its citizens.

The Declaration and Constitution provide a vision of hope for Americans. The Preamble of the Constitution states that it was written to  “form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” As envisioned in the Declaration, the Constitution ensures Americans are free to create a better future for themselves.

At the signing of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin noted the sun carved on George Washington’s chair, saying,  “Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun.” Thanks to citizen representation, individual rights, and the promise of a better future for Americans, we have a strong country. Our country’s founding documents continue to shine the light of freedom to the world.

The Relationship Between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

By Bayley Ferguson
Second Place Grades 4-6

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution have a really important relationship. Even though they are different documents, they work together like a team to make the United States a real country.

The Declaration was written first on July 4, 1776, to tell King George III that the colonies were done with British rule. Then, about 11 years later, the Constitution was written to actually help run the new nation. Basically, the Declaration started the country, and the Constitution gave it a plan to follow.

One cool part of their relationship is that they were both written in the same building in Philadelphia, which we now call Independence Hall. Another connection is the people involved. Only six men actually signed both documents. Including Benjamin Franklin, who is definitely the most famous and well-respected figure among all the group members. Others like George Clymer and George Read are less known today, but they were still there for both big moments. These men knew that after they declared independence, they needed a strong system to keep the country from falling apart.

You can also think of the relationship between these papers as the “why” and the “how.” The Declaration explained the reason why the colonists wanted to be free in the first place. The Constitution was the “how” because it created the actual system of government we still use today, like the three branches of government.

Before this, they tried something called the Articles of Confederation, but that system didn’t work well. They needed the Constitution to be a better partner to the ideas they originally wrote in the Declaration.

It’s also interesting to see how the government expanded just by looking at how long these documents got. The Declaration was pretty short because it just had one job: saying we were free. But the Constitution had to be way longer because it had to explain all the rules for running a whole country. In the end, the Declaration gave Americans their rights, and the Constitution gave those rights a safe place to live through a fair government.