Duke TIP Writing Contest

"What kinds of things do 6th graders generally not talk about?"
"Politics."
"What politics do 6th graders generally not know about?"
"Most politics."
When I was in 6th grade I took part in a Duke TIP writing contest in which we were challenged to write a letter to the president about an issue of our choice. I decided that I wanted to write President Obama about stem cell research.  I had to research everything and include a mix of lots of perspectives from all walks of life.
Because of that letter I started being interested in politics. That is despite the fact that when I wrote the letter my dad had to help me edit it because I was accidentally filibustering. Had that trend continued I might have become a Republican; instead I try to look at each issue holistically and am a conservative libertarian.
I won the contest. I got 250$ for myself and 250$ for my school, which was my household at the time, which was a pretty big deal back in 6th grade. I am pretty sure I used to the money to buy a Play Station 2 and some games.