Kristen Turner, 13, of Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo: Courtesy of www.dems2004.org)

The votes are in! The winners of the Democratic National Committee's essay contests, "Gavel in the Future" and "Speak Out for the Future," were announced this week.

"Our essay contests are part of an invitation to America's youth to participate at our convention," said Rod O'Connor, head of the Democratic Convention Committee. "We are excited by the strong response we received."

Over 1,100 entries were received from almost all 50 states. The winners were chosen from 10 contest finalists whose essays were posted online for a month of voting. After the votes were counted, the winners were announced on MTV's Total Request Live.

The two kids chosen to "gavel in" the start of the convention are Kristen Turner, 13, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Steven Ruperto, 18, of Moon, Pennsylvania. The winner of the Speak Out for the Future contest, Michael Negron, 24, of Memphis, Tennessee, will read his speech at the convention on opening night, July 26.

Steven Ruperto, 18, of Moon, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Courtesy of www.dems2004.org)

The Republican National Committee is currently narrowing down its finalists for its "Stand Up and Holla" essay contest. The winning essay will provide the best answer to the question "Why is the President's call for community service important and how have you demonstrated it?" Read the essays and vote at www.2004nycgop.org.

About the Essays

The Democratic National Committee provided contest participants with topics for their essays. For Gavel In, the topic was "How can teenagers use the political process to make their community a better place?" The topic for Speak Out was, "Why should politics be important to youth and how can youth get more involved in the political process?"

In the essay titled "I'm Not Too Young," Kristen Turner wrote: "I'm not old enough to vote yet, but I am old enough to form opinions about what I see and what I would like the world to be like when I do turn 18. I'm not too young to be part of the political process."

In "I Believe," Steven Ruperto writes: "I believe that teens are the key to the future. As politics is becoming more of a part of people's daily lives, it is important for teens to be involved and be knowledgeable. America's prosperity can only continue if teens become involved with politics in their community."

The essay titled "If not us, who else?" by Michael Negron, writes: "Elections are about the future. Yet our generation, heirs to the world that our leaders will leave behind, too often opts out and sits on the sidelines as politicians make decisions that affect our lives. In the next few years, our leaders will make monumental decisions on war and peace, social security, and health care. If we don't participate, then we surrender any say in the world they will leave us."

Michael Negron, 24, of Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Courtesy of www.dems2004.org)

Power of the Youth Vote

MTV's "Choose or Lose" campaign joined with the Democratic National Convention Committee to promote the essay contest and online voting on its Web site, www.chooseorlose.com. MTV also joined with the Republican National Convention Committee on their "Stand Up and Holla" essay contest, which will let a young person speak on one of the nights at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City during primetime.

"The main goal of Choose or Lose is to show the world that more than 20 million young adults are active, inspired and going to vote in November," said Van Toffler, President, MTV & MTV2. "The partnerships with the Republican National Convention Committee and Democratic National Convention Committee reinforce the fact that both parties recognize the strength and importance of young adult voters in 2004."

To read the Democratic party's winning essays, click here.