Howard D. Polsky '73 Endowment for the Advancement of American Democracy and Law

Debating Legislation for Nationally Televised U.S. Presidential Debates (1st place tie)
Bio: Isabelle Spirk is a senior majoring in Political Science and Religion and minoring in Asian Studies and Environmental Studies.  She is president of No Lost Generation (a student organization advocating for refugee awareness), an ESL tutor, a TRAC (Technology, Research, and Communication) fellow, and an office assistant in Lehigh’s political science department.  After graduation, Isabelle will pursue a M.A. in Politics and Policy at Lehigh.

Well-Informed, or Well-Amused; Presidential Debates in a Post-Truth Era (1st place tie)
Bio: Collette is a graduating senior from State College, Pennsylvania studying Political Science with a focus in American politics, public law, and political theory with a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. After graduation, Collette plans to attend law school with an interest in disability law. 

Televised Debates: A Well-Informed Public and the Need for Legislation (2nd place)
Bio: Daniella is a freshman from Rochester, New York, pursuing a double major in Political Science and History with a minor in Music. She is an Eckardt Scholar, serves on the Events Committee and as an Ambassador for The Women’s Network, and founded Lehigh Ballet Club. Beyond Lehigh, Daniella hopes to attend law school to become a Civil Rights Attorney. 

Well-Informed Citizens and Televised Presidential Debates: A Legislative Necessity? (3rd place tie) Bio: Sophia Taskov is pursuing a degree in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Marketing. At Lehigh, she is TRAC Fellow with the role of Lead Fellow for Business Communications and a site leader at Broughal Middle School. She does research for the Marketing Department under Professor Koukova and was Director of Community Service for Alpha Gamma Delta, where she won a Commitment to Service award.

In Defense of the Debates (3rd place tie)
Bio: When I think of who I am, the first word that comes to mind is "writer." Yet even when I'm not putting words to a page, I'm always working on a story in my head. I think my greatest strength is in writing, and I want to use my gift both to entertain and inform others in any way I can. Rest assured, if there's a story to be told, you'll find me in the eye of the hurricane.

Holding the President More Accountable and Establishing Trust: Reevaluating Presidential Qualifications (1st place tie) Bio: Emma Salatti is a sophomore from Long Island, New York, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Philosophy. She serves as an Equity Representative at Lehigh’s Gender, Leadership, & Empowerment Center, where she hosts her own podcast, “In Her Shoes.” Emma is also the Secretary of the Pre-Law Society and the Director of Member Education for Kappa Delta Sorority.

Who Should Lead? Revisiting the Constitutional Criteria for the Presidency (1st place tie)