On July 4, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site held its annual Independence Day celebration, which featured patriotic music and the recitation of the Declaration of Independence. The event also featured the reading of winning essays as part of a contest that invited local students to address the question, "How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime?"

In the high school division, Tithi Patel, Kayla Karasek and MaryEllen Reichart, all of Exeter Township Senior High School, placed first, second and third, respectively.

In her essay, Patel addressed the Declaration of Independence as more of an unfinished idea than a finished document.

"It says that all people are created equal, but it's pretty clear that wasn't true in 1776, and it still isn't fully true now," she wrote. "That gap between what it says and what actually exists is exactly why I think it will keep shaping the future during my lifetime."

She referenced movements for abolition, women's suffrage, civil rights and other issues as having drawn words and power from the Declaration of Independence, saying that the document will "act as a guide for what's right."

She also said that the document will serve as the blueprint for how rights expand in the future, which is why it will influence the future over her lifetime.

"Ultimately, the power of the Declaration lies in its tension," she said. "That tension is not a weakness; it is what drives progress."

In the middle school group, Elena Ledford of Governor Mifflin won the contest. Juliana Hamu of Boyertown and Brennan Beissel of Spring-Ford placed second and third, respectively.

In her essay, Ledford wrote about how America has symbolized freedom since it was discovered.

"The pilgrims came to America to obtain religious freedom," she wrote. "When this freedom was threatened, Americans fought for it and formed the United States of America."

She addressed how this freedom originated with the Declaration of Independence and how the document continues to set America apart from other countries.

She called the Declaration of Independence the most important document regarding the government. She quoted the preamble to the document, stating that it clearly highlights why governments should exist.

"The clear way that the Declaration of Independence declares that all governments should uphold the rights of the people provides the country with a clear path to follow in the future," she wrote. "In the past, it justified the revolution, which established America as a free country. Nowadays, it serves as a reminder of why governments should exist and how important freedom is, which will keep America's government from becoming inefficient or tyrannical."

All of the students, excluding Karasek and Reichart, read their essays in person at the event.

Hopewell Furnace holds its essay contest annually. Previous prompts have included "What is your pursuit of happiness?" in 2025 and "What does the word liberty mean to you?" in 2024.

To read all of the essays in their entirety, visit http://www.nps.gov/hofu/getinvolved/independence-day-writing-challenge.htm.

Hopewell Furnace is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson. The park's facilities are currently open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the park is free. For more information, call 610-582-8773 or visit the previously mentioned website.