SPRINGVILLE, Utah — An 8th grader from Springville Junior High got the chance to ask the last question of the vice presidential debate Wednesday night.
Brecklynn Brown won the essay contest for her age group put on by the Utah Debate Commission but says she never knew they were actually going to use her question during the debate.
“The Utah Debate Commission asked students in the state to write essays about what they would like to ask you,” debate moderator Susan Page with USA Today said. “And I want to close tonight‘s debate with a question posed by Brecklynn Brown.”
Brecklynn says she was excited to hear her question, and sent FOX 13 a statement.
It reads in part:
“It was both shocking and amazing to be able to ask a question to Vice President Pence and Senator Harris! It felt good to be heard, and I appreciate their responses. I’m so glad a question that meant so much to me also meant so much to other Americans.“
“Brecklynn when you think about the future I do believe the future is bright and it will be because of your leadership and it will be because we fight for each person's voice,” Harris said. “Through their vote we get engaged in this election because you have the ability through your work and through eventually your vote.”
Pence also responded to her question.
“I just want to encourage you Brecklynn and I want to tell you that we’re going to work every day to have a government as good as our people, the American people, each and every day,” Pence said. “Love a good debate, we love a good argument, but we always come together and we’re always there for one another.”
Brecklynn’s history teacher, Amy Burge, is the one who encouraged her students to write the essays.
“When I saw the contest, I thought it was perfect. First, it was an opportunity for my students to really think about what is important to them, and second, it was an authentic writing experience where they had a chance to get their voices heard, and finally, it was a chance to be civically engaged.”
The Nebo School District says it is proud of all of its students for getting involved.
“To have one of our Nebo students be able to do so well and to be able to get her point across, you know she said something that’s very important to me,” said Nebo spokesperson Lana Hiskey. “Now I understand it’s important to everyone else how important it is to be kind and get along and even though we might disagree on some of the political stances.”
Brecklynn says after talking and learning about so many issues happening in our country, she hopes we can all try a little harder to understand one another and unite as a country.