Aarti Sabharwal, a student at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, was recently named the Most Philosophical Third Grader in America as a result of her entry in the national 2014 Kids Philosophy Slam contest.

The Kids Philosophy Slam is an annual K-12 contest which asks kids to answer a philosophical question. Ideas and thoughts can be expressed through words, artwork, poetry, or song. Each year, a new question is released at the beginning of the school year. This year’s question was: “Truth or Beauty: Which has a greater impact on society?”

Here’s what Aarti wrote:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder which means everyone’s idea of beauty is different. It can also be temporary and superficial. Beauty is not necessary in life but the truth is.

There is only one truth. You can’t dispute the truth. Initially beauty will please you, but in the end truth will create a more positive environment. Everyone seeks the truth and with truth comes peace. Everything important in society, such as relationships (between individuals and countries), health, knowledge, happiness and confidence rely on the truth – not beauty. Truth can build and strengthen relationships.The world would be much better off if societies were to focus more on seeking truth than beauty. That is why truth and not beauty has a greater impact on society.