Hello, everyone. You're listening to Family Talk, a radio broadcasting ministry of the James Dobson Family Institute.

I'm Dr. James Dobson, and thank you for joining us for this program.

Well, welcome to Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, the voice you trust for the family you love.

I'm Roger March, and on today's edition of the Family Talk program, we have a special treat for you.

Today is July 2nd, 2026.

We are two days away from America celebrating her 250th anniversary.

And in honor of the American 250 anniversary celebration, we hosted a contest here,

sponsored by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute in conjunction with our friends at the Herzog Foundation.

More than 600 high school and middle school students all across the country submitted essays to us here at JDFI.

And the themes were very simple.

First, explain how you, in your opinion,

believe that the Christian faith was foundational

for America's founding and also for her success

and flourishing in the future.

And then secondly, you as a middle schooler

or high schooler, give us an indication

as to how you believe your Christian faith will

inform your citizenship and the stewardship thereof in the years to come. Our middle school

winner is Jack Bodker, and we're going to get a chance to get to know him in just a moment.

You'll hear a conversation that Gary Bauer recorded with Jack, and he will be actually

reading his winning essay that netted him a $1,000

prize.

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