Small town life informs Little Compton teen’s acclaimed essay on patriotism and hope

By: Janine L. Weisman

Outlets: Rhode Island Current

Published: May 24, 2026

Words: 1,496

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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Inequality. Bigotry. Poverty. They continue to challenge and divide the nation.

They test Marjorie Leary too. But the Portsmouth High School junior won’t let America’s problems overshadow its values. She sees them as motivation to fight for freedom and progress in her prize-winning Voice of Democracy audio-essay titled “In Order to Form a More Perfect Union.”

Leary, 17, of Little Compton, is the Rhode Island winner in the national competition organized by the Veterans of …

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