HELENA, Mont. – The Way Christian School middle school student Molly Gilbert’s voice echoed throughout the halls of the Montana State Capitol this week after the 2021 US Constitution Contest winner performed her song, What the Constitution Means to Me, during a Constitution Day celebration in the rotunda.

Gilbert, who last year submitted the winning entry in the middle school division of the US Constitution Contest, strummed her guitar and proudly sang the lyrics she wrote and rehearsed for her mother, who was also her teacher.

“One thing so special, so important to me, is the right to go to church and the freedom of speech,” her song begins. “In 1787, that is when all of this happened. And ever since that day, there’s been a Constitution with many rules, drafted and written by James Madison. It is called the highest law in the land, made for every man and woman.”

The song concludes with the line: “This is what it means, the Constitution’s important to me, because it’s the reason I’m free.”

Gilbert was honored last winter when Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen visited The Way Christian School in Livingston. Gilbert’s schoolmates also attended this week’s Constitution Day celebration, and they also received a tour of the Secretary of State’s Office from Secretary Jacobsen.

“What an incredible honor for us to be graced with Molly’s beautiful voice during such an important celebration,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Her lyrics describe everything that’s great about our US Constitution, and I’m so impressed with Molly and the youth of Montana for recognizing the importance of this significant document.”