Patriot's pen book by Elgin Academy

P ATRIOT ’ S P EN

THE

AMERICA I BELIEVE IN By Elgin Academy’s Seventh Grade Class

Welcome Elgin Academy’s seventh graders joined with students around the country who put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) in an effort to share their thoughts on “The America I Believe In.” As part of the VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen essay contest, these young authors told our veterans about what they loved, admired, and believed about the country these brave veterans have fought to defend. These essays are a small reflection of our appreciation of the sacrifices that our American Veterans of Foreign Wars have made on our behalf. We hope you enjoy and take pride in the writing of our students and their tributes to the country we all love and to those who have fought to keep us safe.

CHAPTER 1

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MRS. VELTRI’S CLASS

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN SINGS TOGETHER Noelle Brown The America I believe in is the America that fights together for the future, something we cannot see but strive for anyway. As John F. Kennedy once stated, “I look forward to a great future for America - a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.” It doesn't matter whether you are black or white, male or female, rich or poor; I believe that a brighter future sees no bounds, and they should never be taken for granted.

himself to protect his friends from being captured. Because my grandpa did this, the opposing side never arrested him and he returned to his home safely. However, he never could have done it without his loving family, his supportive army friends, and the love of his life, my grandma, constantly supporting him. This leads me to believe that teamwork is key in fighting for the future and succeeding. I believe in America as a place where everyone is free to have their own personal goals for the future of themselves and their country, but we can not accomplish all of these goals without working in tandem. As Michael Josephson once stated, “America is a song that sounds the best when we all sing together.” If everyone “sings” our hopes for the future of America together and works hard to achieve them, our accomplishments will shine brighter than fireworks on the 4th of July. I believe our fighting for the future will most certainly be able to match America’s military strength with its moral restraint, its wealth with its wisdom, and its power with its purpose.

The ways people fight for the future vary from person to person, but when I think of “fighting for the future,” I think of the brave soldiers and veterans who, no matter how scared they may have been, worked together to end wars and leave peace behind like a footprint. My grandfather was one of these war veterans. He was drafted as a field wireman setting up telephone poles in the Vietnam War during his teenage years. This may seem easy, but it was actually very treacherous, for if my grandfather was spotted by the enemy, he would be reported immediately and potentially captured. In addition, he also had to conceal

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN STANDS UP Sophie Shanae Gould Dulabaum The America I believe in encompasses nearly 320 million citizens standing up tall and proud for their country with their words and ways. Standing up itself is a common action performed daily by people around the world. However, when it comes to our beloved country of America, it means so much more.

Some American citizens take standing up for their country even further and fight for the protection of American citizens’ lives. When a bullet enters a soldier’s body, sending him or her down to the ground of the battered battlefield, the soldier has just stood up for his or her country by falling down and subsequently saving the lives of other warriors and America’s countrymen. The America I believe in is full of those who are willing to stand up and risk their lives for the protection of many more.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Louise McCauley Parks sat on a bus and fought for what she believed in. She did not give up or back down. Instead, she stood up for the rights of every American citizen, ironically, by sitting down. The America I believe in houses courageous people like Rosa Parks and encourages them to stand up for their country by standing up for what is right.

While protected in my country, I feel the need to pay my respects to those who have made my country the America I believe in. For this, I stand up for my country every day. I stand up for my country by standing up for the Pledge of Allegiance. I stand up for my country by standing up for our national anthem. And most of all, I stand up for my country by striving to make my home the America I believe in.

Some Americans did disagree with Rosa Parks and were ruthless about it, too. This is why the America I believe in knows it is impossible for everyone in the country to have a deep understanding of others’ rights. However, an unfortunate fact like this does not stand in the way of the America I believe trying hard to educate the uninitiated on important matters like this.

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN STANDS AS ONE Fiona Boborci I believe in an America that rises as we pledge our allegiance to purity and innocence, to hardiness and valor, and to perseverance, justice, and vigilance. Even though we may not agree on all ideas, our country stands side by side with respect as we face our flag. It does not matter if we are in the classroom alongside our peers, or with tears streaking our faces as we stand beside the flag-draped coffin of a brave soldier. The America I believe in is over 300 million strong, yet we stand as one for our nation.

believe that empty words are nothing more than an empty promise, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make empty promises. As I said before, the entire school recites the Pledge. Even so, I learned that some of our students are not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I understand that America may not be at its greatest, but that is no excuse to dishonor your country. By saying the Pledge of Allegiance, one is not stating that America is perfect, but one is promising their commitment to doing their part to make it that way.

At my school, we have begun to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. However, for me, it was important to understand what I was saying, instead of robotically repeating empty words. I now understand that by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, I am making a promise to my country. I am promising that I will be loyal to the symbol of the United States and to a place that will listen to my opinions. I am promising to treat everyone as equals, and I will not be separated from these promises. I believe in an America with freedom and a system of law for every person in the nation, regardless of their differences. I

I believe in an America where we are free to be under one god, many gods, or none at all. Free to pray to Vishnu, Allah, or the Christian god, our country's hearts will be with the brave souls on foreign grounds that do not have the rights and protection that we do. Our nation will stand together as one to protect our rights and beliefs as well as we can, as courageous soldiers stand side by side on the battlefield, ensuring that all have liberty and justice. We stand with them. We promise.

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN SPEAKS WITH ACTIONS Shiraz Baxamusa There is an old saying that goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” By today’s standards, America is one of the only countries that follows this quote. America is the country that stands out among the rest. America has come to be what it is today because this country does rather than says.

the best back to them. America has the greatest army in the world because it has the greatest people, who are willing to go down fighting knowing that they did their country some justice. Americans go crazy on the Fourth of July just to celebrate their country's freedom. Every four years America has presidential elections. This is the time where the entire country splits in two, with Republicans on one side, and Democrats on the other. You would think that this would cause America’s downfall, but somehow, law and order is still kept. That is because in America, the founding fathers wanted rights which gave Americans the freedom of speech. Americans wanted a fair government, and America gave one to them.

In May of 2010, America had a problem. America’s unemployment rate hit a whopping 10%. This means you would have a better chance of finding someone that was laid off and looking for a job than rolling a pair of even doubles in Monopoly. So, in 2011, America decided to take action and do something for a change. Just six years later, the unemployment rate is now 4.7% as of May of 2016. This means that the employment rate is less than half of what it was in 2010. This is a big change for America. Now, you’d have a better chance of randomly selecting a king from a fairly shuffled deck than finding someone that is unemployed.

This is the America I believe in: an America that allows you to express your feelings freely; an America that can decrease its unemployment rate; and most importantly, an America that strives for and gives the best that it can. Most importantly, I believe in an America that does rather than says. As the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words,” and that is exactly what America proves today.

The America I believe in is not just good, it’s great. This America strives for the best from its people and gives

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN FIGHTS FOR RIGHT Delaney Reimer The America I believe in has dreams and strives to make those dreams come true. In America, we are blessed with prosperity and wealth, and we can say what we believe and not be persecuted or forced to change our ideas. We can elect our leaders, and we have freedoms that those in other countries can only dream of. We can have dreams, and we can make these dreams a reality.

Have A Dream.” In this speech, King said, “I say to you today, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.” Dr. King had big dreams, and even though he was killed for his beliefs, his ideas still live on today. Thankfully, the world has changed. There’s less discrimination against different races, even though this discrimination is still there. Racism is still a big problem, and the wounds it has caused us all can never be fully healed. However, we can’t just sit here and hope that all the world’s problems will simply cease to exist from sheer force of the mind. If we want to make a difference, and we want our dreams to come true, we have to take action, just like Dr. King did, and brave Americans are still doing so today, like the soldiers that protect us with their lives. For if we truly believe in a cause, we need to fight for that cause and for what is right.

Of course, America didn’t start out as the country it is today. The United States came from humble beginnings, with thirteen original colonies ruled by the English. None of it was easy, but the colonists suffered through, and they helped this country grow into what it is today, a wealth of rich culture and new ideas. Immigrants like my ancestors flocked to America from all over the world, bringing diversity, ideas, and culture. They had big dreams, and they needed freedom to make those dreams come true. As Wendell L. Wilkie once said, “I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.”

The America I live in fights for what is right, where dreams can become a reality. This is the America I believe in.

Dreams are an important part of making America what it is today. Take Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech, “I 7

THE AMERICA THAT GOES THE EXTRA MILE Alex Berlin On January 15, 2009, Captain Sullenberger said, “Brace for impact. We’re landing in the Hudson,” to a 155 passengers on flight 1549 headed for North Carolina. This changed the lives forever for these 155 people.

would get hypothermia. In less than three minutes, rescue boats were at the scene to help the passengers. Captain Sullenberger was the last person to leave the plane. Before he left, he walked the entire plane twice to make sure every passenger had safely evacuated the plane.

There are many examples of Americans who will go the extra mile to save people's lives. This is the America I believe in, where Americans put their lives on the line for others.

Another example of people going the extra mile was on 911 when the World Trade Center collapsed and 334 firstresponders went into the burning buildings and never came out. Another time is when there are natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts. In these times, people of the community help other people to fight through and stay safe. People also go the extra mile when people in the armed forces put their lives on the line to help our nation.

The plane left Laguardia airport in New York City late in the afternoon and hit a flock of birds that got into the engine and caused the engine to smoke. The captain quickly thought where could I land the plane ? He decided the best place would be the Hudson River because he knew he did not have enough time to get to a runway. So, water was the next best option. He did a 90 degree turn and started to lower the plane until he could perfectly land on the water. If he went too fast or too slow, he would have crashed the plane.

The America I believe in is home to courageous people who will always go the extra mile. They will put others first and then themselves, even when their own life is on the line. Captain Sullenberger is a great example of Americans going the extra mile.

Captain Sullenberger lowered the plane into the water and everyone evacuated onto the wings, which were floating in freezing water. They only had a few minutes before they 8

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN VALUES FREEDOM Nikiel Karna When I hear the word freedom many thoughts come to my mind. The two main ideas that I think of, however, are freedom of speech and freedom to practice my own religion. Throughout our history as a country, many people have fought for various freedoms. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out against color discrimination in his “I Have a Dream” speech. This famous work is an example of freedom of speech. In it, he talks of how all people regardless of their skin color should be treated equally and fairly.

practice their own religion and state their opinions without being punished. In many countries citizens do not have the right to practice their religion. Many times they are persecuted, mocked and even punished for worshiping as they chose. I practice the Hindu religion, and I feel that I am very lucky to pray and go to temple as I would like to. It is also nice to live with people who are of a different faith and who can worship their religion without restrictions and fear. This adds to the diversity of America.

During the 1960’s a civil rights movement was taking place in America. For Martin Luther King, Jr. to be giving this speech in public was bold and courageous, not to mention dangerous. For me, freedom of speech allows me to voice my opinion in school and amongst my friends, and at other appropriate times when I feel the need to speak out against another. The America I believe in is where one can

Both freedom of speech and freedom of religion are important basic rights that all human beings should have. Unfortunately, millions of people do not. The America I believe in is a country where one can be free to practice any religion they chose and to voice any opinions they may have. We should never take these two rights, as well as other freedoms, for granted.

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN IS ACCEPTING Natalie Jayne I believe in an America that accepts all races, religions, and beliefs. An America that is a melting pot of different people and nationalities. One that doesn't discriminate against personal ideas and traditions, skin color or size. One that fights for our rights, but only when absolutely necessary. I believe in an America like the one I live in today.

part. Some countries don't allow certain religions at all. Not only does America allow the practice of any religion, but you can legally practice a religion that you and other followers have created and wholeheartedly follow. And that again is the America I believe in- tolerant and just, accepting all people. Most places fight their own wars. They don't help other countries in times of need. But Americans have gone to help others in wars that are not our own. We have helped France and England in wars that shouldn't have concerned us, but that's who we are--caring and helpful towards places and people in need. We only fight our own wars when absolutely necessary, but we do it out of love and gratefulness toward our country and its founders. As Joe Barton once said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represent the very best of this nation.â&#x20AC;?

America is unique. We are the one of the few countries that allows all people of any race or religion to live here in peace. This creates a rich mix of traditions that makes Americans Americans. We are not one religion, but countless. We are a melting pot, and soup isn't good with only one ingredient. Not many people think about how lucky they are to live in America, and even I didn't until now. We take these things for granted. Think about other countries that do not have documents like the Bill of Rights that protect their freedoms. But America does. Our leaders made these laws so that all are treated equally and with respect. And that is the America I believe in.

So that's the America I believe in -- one that fights for what's right, tolerant, helpful, and fair to all. I hope that America retains these attributes eternally.

Although we may have some skirmishes between different people and races, we live in peace for the most 10

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN HAS COURAGE Kiyara Suvagia To me the America I believe in is where I can show how patriotism symbolizes that our nation’s flag will rise everyday and wave in the blue sky. We will have the courage to stand up to anything and also to never let down one’s country along with showing our kindness to the brave military and fighters of our country. We will show how brave our country is and that we can do anything we put our minds too. I think that people think that patriotism reminds them of soldiers and military. Well it does, but it also means showing your actions towards your country to make it a better place. It shows you having to work hard everyday for your country and family.

and the world leader, and that also spreads freedom throughout the world. Most of all this country provides freedom to all people here regardless of race and religion, great patriots, from our founding fathers, to men and women in the military, police, and firefighters who serves and protects us. Their acts of courage and bravery inspire me to become an even more patriotic American. In conclusion, the America I believe in shows me that it is a safe country to live in and that I will get whatever I am in need of, from education, food, water, a roof over my head etc. The America I know will never let its country down until it has helped every human being living in it. As Ronald Reagan had once said, “If we ever forget we are one nation under God...then we will be a nation gone under.” This one quote emphasizes how I think patriotism relates to the America I believe in because America is and will always be one nation under God.

I have never had anybody from my family fight in the military, so I am deeply grateful to the people who have taken the risk to go into the army and fight for our country and sacrifice their blood for our safety. I believe in an America that has been and always will be the world power

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN STANDS FOR FREEDOM Johnathan Vogt I believe in an America that stands for the freedom of its people when it needs to. I believe in an America where the people choose to fight in war to help the everyday man. George Washington himself once said, “Preparing for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”

fought against in their fight for independence, to become their greatest ally. The America I believe in allows people to choose to serve in the military. This America doesn’t force people to serve in the military. My father served in the Marines. He was stationed in Japan. He was not forced to serve. The military makes up one half of one percent of the United States population. That is approximately 1.6 million people. Those people, though, may be the most important 1.6 million people in the U.S. They have chosen to be there.

When most people think of war, they think of people on the front line shooting with sniper rifles at the enemy. Lots of people don’t think of somebody sitting at a camp talking on a radio. They both can be highly ranked officers, though. Both people are soldiers, and both people are fighting for what’s right.

The America I believe in is not just one thing. The America I believe in fights for the freedoms of everyday people. The America I believe in fights for the rights of all people. The America I believe in is prepared for war in order to preserve peace.

The America I believe in fights for what’s right. This America has a military that defends its people. This America fights against the Nazis even when the Nazis had no real intent on fighting them. This America helps the British during World War II when they were in their time of need. This America allows Great Britain, the country that it

I BELIEVE IN A COUNTRY BUILT ON COURAGE Tommy Guyett Harry S. Truman once said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” This is a very important value to the American people.

greatest challenge. This exemplified that we wouldn’t settle for “good enough.” Another example is World War II. This war required both imagination for tactics and strategies, and courage within the men on the ground. There are many other examples of greatness, and the fact that we have many is a great feat in itself. I myself try to strive to fulfill these ideas of greatness everyday. I could likely achieve much more if I simply focused my efforts. I believe the value of only accepting greatness should be one of the values we carry forward.

Truman’s words show that the people of America will not settle for “good enough,” but they will help their country be the greatest it can be, and this has shown in many instances. This idea has been exemplified throughout history, and that mindset may only be fulfilled through hard work and determination. I believe that many Americans would work to be the best they can, if simply motivated enough.

We, the American people I believe in, have protected our rights and freedoms. And if necessary, we will make sacrifices to keep the values and freedoms we hold dear. Many people have given their lives to preserve the America they believed in, and the America for others, such as me. I am very thankful for these men and women, as I can believe in my America. It wasn’t built on fear, but on courage, imagination, and determination.

The America I believe in is a place full of wonders and achievement. This has been shown in many instances throughout history, such as the moon landings. They were a great feat that many sacrificed for and worked hard to fulfill the dream of putting a man on the moon. This shows that the people of America are strong together, and when putting in enough effort, Americans may best even the

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN FIGHTS FOR WHAT’S RIGHT Kayla Rasmussen America has fought in many wars as a country, and some were for our own country and some were for others. By doing so, America has helped to set many wrongs right and has achieved the honor of calling ourselves “the land of the free.” However, as Napoleon Hill once said, “Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”

However, in many of the wars we have fought and in the wars we are still fighting, America has benefitted greatly from fighting and winning each war. Each time America has achieved more than just helping to save another country, each time the U.S. has found a way to benefit from their sacrifice. This doesn’t mean that what America has done to help other countries isn’t honorable, but it may mean that what we did wasn’t selfless. Fighting other countries wars has helped our economy and has kept the U.S. safe more than once. So we did help others, but at the same time, though, we helped ourselves.

America has done many things and sacrificed in many ways helping other countries in the past and is still doing so in the present. World War II, The Civil War, The Revolutionary War, Vietnam War, and World War I were all wars that we fought. America has freed many people in need and stopped the possibility of many acts of terrorism from taking place. Some of these wars were fought on U.S. soil, and some were fought in other countries that are far away from here. American soldiers have left their families to fight in a war far away so that they can help others in need. Many honorable things have been done to aid another country in fighting a war.

As you can see, all of the wars that America has played a part in, we have benefitted from as a whole country. But does this mean that America wouldn’t help another country fight a war if our own country didn’t improve? The America I believe in would stand up for what they believed to be right, whether they were to benefit or not. To me that might be the biggest sacrifice a country can make, and I am proud to say,that the America I believe in would be willing to make that sacrifice.

CHAPTER 2

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MRS. HUGHES’ CLASS

DIVERSITY IN AMERICA Francesca Suffi America is one of the most accepting and culturally diverse places in the world. I see this every day when I go to school. I see people of different colors and different backgrounds than me. Yet, despite our differences, we are all treated equal. We are all given the same opportunities to succeed and learn. I learn from people who are different from me. Equality is the ability to respect differences. One of the early American patriots, George Mason, once said, “We came equals into this world, and equals we should go out of it.”

What America does well is being a diverse spectrum of backgrounds. Whatever your ethnic background or belief, you can be American, African, Spanish, French; all rights are granted. Everyone has the same rights, despite having different backgrounds. Equality isn’t just about accepting people blindly; equality is about accepting people knowing they might believe in something else or have a different background than you. Imagine you were going to draw a rainbow, only to open up a box of crayons to find only red crayons. How sad it would be to have only red crayons to make only a dull, red rainbow. Wouldn’t you rather have a rainbow with all different colors to make it unique and different? When the whole rainbow is made with all the colors, that is when you have diversity. Diversity is what makes the rainbow rich and colorful. Without it, our whole society would be boring and devoid of color.

Sometimes on weekends, my mother and I go to Chicago. Whenever we go there, I always see so many contrasting people. I realized that the city is like a box of crayons; there are many different looking people, but they all come together in one place. Just like you need all the colors to make a rainbow, you need different people to create a well-balanced society.

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN IS FAIR Kieren Londergan Ever since I was little, I have looked at the American flag with pride. Ever since our great nation’s flag was created in June 14, 1777, it has been a beacon of hope for our nation’s citizens. It has also symbolized our country’s great Constitution. I have never seen the Constitution, but it has been a part of my entire life. My life would be extremely different if our country did not have the constitution we have today. Our great Constitution grants our basic rights and says that our government will provide justice and tranquility for the people. Our country does have problems, but problems don’t define something; successes do. One of our greatest successes is our democratic government. This unique government has created so many great things, proving that the lives it took to protect it were not in vain. This is the America I believe in, an America with a fair government.

because the people entrusted with leading end up turning against the people they were supposed to protect. I believe that a fair government has affected many things in my life. If the American government was a dictatorship, we would not have the Constitution because the founding fathers would not have accepted it. If the American government was a dictatorship, I couldn’t have the freedom of speech, so I would be severely punished for speaking out against the government’s beliefs. If I didn’t have the freedom of speech, I couldn’t even write this essay. I wouldn’t even be able to choose my own job without the government agreeing with it. This affects how I grow up because I would most likely be forced to go to a very specific Our country would also not have the twenty-seven amendments we have today. In conclusion, our fair government has done a lot for our country. Our government has granted us twentyseven amendments. Our country has flourished under this great leadership and this has formed the America I believe in.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, have perverted it to tyranny.” This famous quote from Thomas Jefferson relates to a fair government

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN REACHES FOR GOALS Alex Sept “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” - John F. Kennedy. I believe this famous quote means that you have to act if you want to change your country. Many Americans act upon our country like George Washington acted to establish a country, Martin Luther King, Jr. acted to abolish racial inequality, Woodrow Wilson acted to give women the right to vote, and Harriet Tubman acted to rid the country of slavery and war.

America has very successful charities that provide food to the Africans who can barely even afford clean water like Feed My Starving Children. You need to quit relying on other people to do your work for you. You need to stand up for yourself and finish your work. If you do not complete your work, you can’t rely on your friends to do it for you. Quit being selfish and start being selfless. “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” -- Anonymous. I believe that means that you should find a goal to achieve and dedicate your life to it. Dedicate every bit of your free time to achieving your goal. I have a goal to achieve -- attaining the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts -- and I have been working to achieve this goal since two years ago. I am already two-sevenths of the way to achieving my goal, and I am getting closer every day. I believe that I can achieve my goal, and you should too.

If you have ever imagined a world without war and crime, and where everybody has a house and a job, that world is reality. All you and I need to do is change the country. I believe in an America that can achieve this. We are already on the road to achieving this perfect world, and we can increase the productivity if all of us work together. Cancer foundations and homeless charities are already a thing, so I tell you, if everyone in America were to donate a dollar to each of those, the results would skyrocket.

A TIME TO CHANGE Michael Kathrein On the day of August 28, 1963, a man gave not only a speech about a dream, but more importantly, gave a speech asking for action to strive toward racial equality. In Washington D.C., he spoke these famous words, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

discrimination was at its peak, in the late 40s, white males almost never showed interest to the thoughts and feelings of black males. All the white people cared about was that they were white and thought they could treat African Americans poorly. When I was writing this essay, I sat next to my best friend, who is African American. I treat him like like any other friend of mine even though he is a different color than I am. Every year I’ve known him, I see him as a friend, and not someone who is different than me.

In America, racial inequality has been present for years. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the only men in the 1960s who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the rights of the black people in America. If Dr. King was one of the many men too afraid to speak up about racial discrimination, Rosa Parks would have given up her seat on the bus. Even today, many people still fight with words to stop racial inequality that still exists in our country today.

Although I think our country may have a few problems here and there about racial inequality, we have always stayed strong. Without Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. our country may have stayed separated into two races. I sincerely hope our country will soon make a change that all men and women will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by how they truly are as a person.

Judging people by the color of their skin is practically judging a book by its cover. Back when racial

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN VALUES FREEDOM Kory Carlson “Those who deny freedoms to others deserve it not for themselves” -Abraham Lincoln. Our ancestors came to America looking for freedom. If you ask someone what it means to be an American, they would say “to be free.” Freedom is the right to act, speak, or think what you want to without influence. Freedom is what drove our founding fathers to create the Bill of Rights, which grants us certain freedoms. Freedom makes our country great because other countries don't have the freedom we have. On December 15, 1791, the First Amendment was passed. The First Amendment provides you with the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Berlin wall was built in 1961, which was built to stop the Berliners from defecting. This limited the freedom of the people to travel and live where they wanted. When you say freedom to me, I think of the people who fought for our country and for our freedom today. Many wars have been fought for the right to be free. We fought in the American Revolution to gain independence from England in 1783. We also fought in the Civil War to abolish slavery in 1865. More than 4,435 American soldiers lost their lives in the American Revolution and over 620,000 soldiers died in the Civil War. These two wars were fought by men and women who were willing to sacrifice their lives for freedom not only for themselves but also for all Americans.

I asked my fellow classmates what freedom meant to them, and they said, “I can do or go wherever and whatever I want to, but I do understand laws that need to be followed.” With freedom we have responsibilities. In our country we have the freedom to live our lives as we please. This is not the same in other countries. For example in China, about 35 years ago, their government issued a onechild policy for each family. This limited their freedom to create the size family they wanted. In East Germany the

“Better to die fighting for freedom, than be a prisoner all the days of your life” --Bob Marley. That means that freedom at all costs it is better than not having freedom at all. Freedom is a part of the America I believe in. We are given the freedom in America to express ourselves and live in a world of opportunity and many benefits.

I BELIEVE IN THE DIVERSITY OF AMERICA Carter Woltz Former U.S. Representative Ernest Istook once said, “America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles.” America’s diversity has a great effect on my life.

Throughout the world many countries don’t have the freedom we do in America. Some people are forced to practice things like religion out of their will. However, here in America, I’m free to express myself in any way I want to whether by the clothes I wear, words I write, or the ideas I share. Steven Spielberg once said, “ The essence of what it is to be American is the deep moral urge to be free, to freely express yourself and have the right to do so, and to look at all people as equals.” This quote tells the world that it is ok to be yourself and show off your creative side.

I go to a school with a large range of diverse people, and those people can come to school every day without being judged. I’ve got friends from all different kinds of backgrounds such as Mexican, Indian, and Asian. But all of us live under the key principle of respect. We can all state our own opinions. This way we can all learn from each other. Everyone in America is equal. If I didn’t have these friends to support me, I would not be the person I am growing up to be. Much of my personality comes from the different influences I’m surrounded by. Every day I come to class as myself. Whether you’re stronger in academics or athletics, your differences make you the person who you are.

In conclusion, the America I believe in respects equality among all people. Even though our country has several different races, each citizen is afforded respect. People work hard to unite the different races under one strong country.

I BELIEVE IN A FREE AMERICA Isaiah Steele Frederick Douglass, an African writer and slave, once said, “I did not know I was a slave until I found out I couldn’t do the things I wanted.” The quote means that when there was slavery there was no freedom whatsoever for him or the rest of the slaves. Frederick was born into slavery around 1818 and was elected to live in a plantation away from his family. When he got older he didn’t know he was a slave until he found out that he wasn’t allowed to go places when he wanted to. When he was around sixteen years old, he wrote an autobiography and after losing a physical confrontation, his owner never beat him again.

people working all day and the owners would be controlling others. That’s why I am thankful for freedom today because we can do the things we want whenever we want to. I am thankful for freedom because we can do the things we want. Today we have freedom because of the Civil War. The war happened because there was not freedom for everyone and there were people that thought slaves were good. We can all go places that we want to without permission of a owner. Now all we have to do is our own work without having to do anybody else’s work. Slavery was about equality, but now there is no equality between anyone and worrying about what skin color you are. Now skin color doesn’t matter anymore in America. I hope that in the future that there is no slavery and it stays the same as it is now. To me, this quote to me means that there were African Americans that were not free, and didn’t know until they couldn’t do the things they wanted to.

I am happy that there is not any slavery today because a lot of us would be in the same situation as Frederick Douglass. Today, skin color doesn’t matter anymore, and all skin colors can do the same things. Back then African Americans could usually not vote or even own a house. But now everyone can vote, own a home, and be free. If we had slavery today, I would not like it because there would be

I CAN CHANGE AMERICA Kendall Milone Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” These words are important to me because I am the next generation, and I have the determination to do my fair share of volunteering and helping our country. This is important to me because America isn’t at their highest point right now, and I can do significant yet simple things to change that. Once a month, I go to my church and give homeless people something to eat and a place to sleep for the night. Even if I do the slightest thing to help in our country, other people will start to help and America will become amazing. The America I believe in is the unity of every person living in our country.

a job. I did one small thing that can create jurassic differences. My family and I care about our country and keeping it clean, so we recycle whenever possible. If I find empty water bottles, I will pick them up and recycle them, not throw them in the trash and create giant landfills. I know one person can do so little, but if I picked up one water bottle a day, that would be 365 water bottles recycled in one year by one person. This is how I can help change America in many positive ways. Some of my fellow classmates have said, “I can help at a local food shelter and give money to charity,” or “I can help pick up trash off the streets.” These slight changes can make America a better place than it already is. This translates to how our future generation can’t predict the future, but we can change it. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This is why our country should come together unified as one to help change America.

It makes me happy to help feed and give homeless people a place to stay for a night at my church. It is very upsetting for me to see kids my age come in that have no home. We bring in clothes, shoes, and travel-sized items that they can take on the go. I help prepare food and bring it to the parents and children who come in. When they are fed and receive nice clothes, they might be able to acquire

THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM Oscar Garcia When I think of America the first thing that comes to my mind is the American Flag. It is the most elegant and outstanding flag from all the countries in the whole wide world. The flag reminds me of what has happened in the past, present, and what might happen in the future. The American Flag also represents the United States at its best such as how it stands for freedom and love for this country.

without any representation. They were brave and had hope to create a new country. The American Flag is made up of fifty white stars on a blue background, these fifty stars represent our fifty free states. When I look at the American Flag I think of a country where there are many freedoms such as: the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the freedom to petition. The stars represent the fifty free states. Because every state is free and we are united, you can have the feeling that the Constitution is in the palm of your hand.

There are thirteen red and white stripes on the American Flag, which represent the thirteen original colonies. Red reminds me of the blood of the soldiers that have fought in many wars. I think of their suffering and the brave way they lost their lives. The soldiers of this country fought and risked their lives for our freedom, which makes me so proud when the American Flag is flown. The American colonists wanted to be free from the King of England and being ruled under a monarchy

The American Flag is a huge symbol for the United States of America. When I look at the flag I am reminded of all the soldiers who have fought for me and all American citizens. I love this great country.

WHAT THE FOURTH OF JULY MEANS TO ME Shreya Sai Every year on July 4th I carry around red, white, and blue flags. I watch the red, white, and blue fireworks explode in the air. I sit on my grassy hill waiting for the barbecued chicken to be ready. A lot of people celebrate the Fourth of July but don't know what it truly means.

for their fellow citizens. We are so lucky to have them and the people that have lost their lives in war. We are lucky because we have people that are willing to risk their lives for us. If you see a veteran respect them, maybe go up and say, “Thank you.”

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I like to see a man proud of the country. I like to see a man live, so that his country will be proud of him.” The Fourth of July isn't about just red, white, and blue; it’s about patriotism. To me patriotism means loving and respecting your country. I show my patriotism at school every day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I respect America by standing up every time the Star Spangled Banner is sung, America’s national anthem.

Not only should everyone respect soldiers, we should respect their families. Some families of soldiers suffer every day because they have lost loved ones. Not only do these people suffer, but families of soldiers overseas suffer too. A lot of families are separated from their loved ones who fight for this country. Patriotism is respecting these families and not being rude to them. The Fourth of July is so much more than red, white, and blue. It’s about patriotism. Patriotism can be shown in something as little as giving a penny to a homeless person. It’s as big as serving time in the war. Patriotism is so important to me, and, I hope, to the rest of America.

Patriotism is helping our country and standing by it in difficult times. We can do this by supporting everyone who fights for our country and respecting them. Soldiers have done so much for this country, and they died for the love of their country. As soldiers, men and women risked their lives

THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN VALUES EDUCATION Leela Prodhan “Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity,” --Lyndon B. Johnson. This quote is dear to my heart because many people who live in third world countries don’t have the opportunity to receive the education I have in America. And yet sometimes, people in America take that opportunity for granted. The America I believe in holds the opportunity to receive education.

free. Sadly, sometimes kids in America aren’t grateful for the education they receive when they aren’t even thinking that kids in third world countries don’t even get the chance to access and grasp the education they receive. However, some kids are grateful for education because they want go to a great college and want to get a nice job. This is why I am so grateful for my education because education is a rare thing that many kids my age in third world countries don’t have access to. This special gift is sometimes taken for granted by those who receive it in our country. Education allows me to create a good future for myself and the ability to help others. I believe that education is important for kids to become better citizens. The America I believe in is the opportunity to receive education.

The third world countries are Mexico, South America, Africa, India, Dominican Republic, and other islands. In these countries, fifty-million kids don’t go to school. Some that do go to school tend to drop out early. Twenty percent of all kids in Asia don’t attend school, and fifty-four percent of the kids who do not attend school are girls. Some of these kids’ parents didn’t attend school when they were my age. Because of this, they don’t know how to read and write. Here, school is free for most kids in America. Kids in third world countries would love to be able to go to a school that’s free, especially when they could read and write for

AMERICA, THE LAND OF LIMITLESS POTENTIAL Ryan Kuykendall Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” I think this defines America well. The America I believe in is a place where people work to achieve their greatest potential, where people don’t settle for “good enough”, and where people have a limitless ceiling.

people work as hard as they can until they reach their dreams. They don’t settle for “good enough.” It took Thomas Edison 1000 tries to invent the lightbulb, but he persevered and his invention brightens our day. In America, there are no “social classes” or limits on what you can do in life. There are no restraints on what you can become. For example, any citizen who was born in the U.S. and is over 35 years old can run for president. In some other countries, people are forced into a certain job or position in life by the government. If I want to be a scientist when I grow up here, I probably can. In another country, I could be forced to do another job that I do not like.

America was built on the idea of the American Dream, on immigration, and on the promise of a better life where all people are equal. Since the time of Columbus and the discovery of America, many people came here from all over the world searching for a better life. America was their shining light on the horizon, a place where their dreams could come true, and their only limit was their capacity to dream and their dedication and perseverance to make it happen.

The America I believe in is a place where there are no limits to us except the barriers we make for ourselves. Our country was built on the idea of obtaining a better life. America is also a place where its inhabitants continue to strive for success. Lastly, we are a place where there are no limits to what a person can achieve. These ideals truly break down the limits of intelligence, imagination, and wonder.

The America I believe in is also a place where people never give up. As Thomas Edison famously said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” In America,