Barrington High school sophomores Emily Gorman and Sam Wohlever recently won tickets to the renowned Broadway musical "Hamilton: An American Musical" by entering the Newport Historical Society’s Right Your Way to Hamilton essay contest. 

The writing contest, which was named "Big Ideas for a Changing World," asked students to explore and write about the question, “What is happening now in your community, or what could be happening, that has the power to change the future in Rhode Island and potentially the world?”

Emily Gorman’s essay, “Bag the Bag” focused on the environmental impact that plastic bags have and how banning them in towns across Rhode Island and the country would help the environment. 

Sam Wohlever’s essay, “The Power of Energy” was written on America’s first offshore wind farms in Block Island. 

There were 10 winners in all — two from each county in the state. A special recognition event was held at the Rhode Island Statehouse for all entrants and winners, plus their families.

The 10 winners were taken on a day-trip to New York City by charter bus, where they ate lunch and met with the sponsors of the contest at the Harvard Club.

They then walked over to the Richard Rodgers Theater to see the award-winning Broadway play "Hamilton: An American Musical." They had orchestra seating at the event which was chaperoned by Newport Historical Society staff and some teachers.