Congratulations
to the winners of the
What
America Means to Me
essay
contest for the Argyle ISD
Middle
and High schools.
The
following quotes were gleaned from over 500 submissions received, and were
selected because of the profound nature of the statements made. Winning essays
can be seen in entirety by clicking on the following links for either the Middle School or
the High School.
What makes up America?
Is it Dr. Phil, Oprah,
President Bush, or Kerry?
No, I think not.
America is more than an
individual.
What makes up America?
The dreamers, who see beyond the stars
The optimist, who looks to
the bright side
The thinker, whose eyes are
cloudy with brilliance
The content, whose routine
never changes
The protector, whose eyes
gleam with their cause
The determined, who will
never be stopped in his quest
The dispirited, who shall
see the light again
The stubborn,
whose head is as hard as a rock
The caring, whose thoughts
never stray from the ones in need
Yes, this is what makes up
America.
Samantha Delbecq – 8th
“Americans
are like crayons some blue, some red, some short some long, even some duller
than others … [but] we all live together in the same box called America.”
[Jason Hughes 7th]
“Peace is very
quiet and war is very loud, rude and full of hatred.” [Kyle Atwater – 6th]
“In families,
trust is very important.” [Janelle Hansen – 6th]
“My country
might be described as a brick wall, a great wall, except every brick is a
different color and has a different texture … I think I know why we are such an
independent country. We’re under God. He has blessed us with so much more than
we deserve.” [Tara Nation – 6th]
“One thing I cherish
is the soldiers that support our country.” [Blake Rowe – 6th]
“Families hold
America together.” [Sam Retzloff – 6th]
“With a dream
you can become whatever you want.” [Eric Terrazas – 6th]
“My guess is we
are spoiled.” [Nickolas Polischeck – 6th]
“… we have the
right to voice our opinion over the government’s policies, and every time
someone protests they raise the government’s accountability.” [Caroline Pratt –
7th]
“America means a lot of spectacular ideas and
opportunities to me, and I am glad to be a part of this nation.” [Matt Moore
–7th]
“Freedom
of choice does not mean you can do whatever you want.” [Joe Durham – 7th]
“America
is like a big cookie, with the warm chewy center, and a few nuts thrown in … truly
a great place to live.” [Ashlee Madewell – 7th]
“America is truly the clam that holds my pearl.” [April Walters – 7th]
“America
is a strong country that represents the ambitious dreams of millions of
people.” [ T.J. Record – 7th]
“…
freedom is not something you play with like a doll but, … must be treated with
respect… without laws … America would be like a bat, she would be upside down
and hanging from something.” [Caroline Vallelian - 7th]
“America,
to me, means more than just a place to live, it is place full of memories and
meaning. It is also full of my dreams,
hopes, wishes and desires.” [John
Walker -7th]
“A
few qualities about America are freedom, being able to have a life and dream of
a future, and safey.” [Chloe Pourzan – 7th]
“America
is also my home, a place that welcomes me with open arms. It brings me into its
hug and helps me build myself back up.” [Emma Forrer – 7th]
“America
is like one huge, cheerful family; we have our problems, but we also have our
memorable moments.” [Kourtney Kellar – 7th]
“America
is just another piece of God’s plan to bring the world closer together.” [Evan
Milbauer – 7th]
“America
means opportunity to me … the opportunity to make a difference.” “ Integrity is doing what is right when no
one is looking … What makes it so hard sometimes is that what is right is not
always popular.” [Meredith Devine – 7th]
“America
meant to me my home, my life, and my future.” [Jake Bates – 7th]
“Americas
too is constantly changing and I know that I will need to be flexibly in my
thinking to achieve my goals in life.” [Christa Conroy – 7th]
“America
means strength, freedom, and justice.” [Tyler Kass – 7th]
“Although
we are now in bloom we must remember that it doesn’t take much for flowers to wilt.
We should be thankful for our many blessings but not forget that seasons
change.” [Emily Speed – 8th]
“Each
of the individual citizens of America makes our country whole.” [Catherine
Pettibon – 8th]
“America
means a future filled with freedom and infinite possibilities …I am only
limited by myself not my country.” [Maddy Webbe – 8th]
“I don’t understand why we can’t all get
along and be one human race instead of the black race, the white race, or the
Mexican race.” [Josie Medina – 8th]
“When
I think of the United States I think of how every person contributes and how
every family matters.” [Ashlea Michael – 8th]
“You
may not realize it, but most people would die to live here.” [Jade Bradshaw –
8th]
“…
the way you handle a situation effects the attitude of others around you.”
[Randi Roberts – 8th]
“…
wherever you go you take America’s reputation with you.” [Will Overlander –
8th]
“America
represents promise, whether that promise is kept or not depends on what we do
from here on.” [Yvonne Freeborn -9th]
“The
reason for the success of our country does not lie in power or money, but truly
comes as a result of our placing such value and high importance on the ideas of
peace, liberty, equality and freedom.” [Deirdre Murphy – 9th]
“America
gives us infinite choices and never-ending opportunities.” [Bailee Beebe – 9th]
“Freedom
also means the honor of responsibility.” [Andrew Marston – 9th]
“I
love America because I know that I have a future.” [Meagan Gonzales – 9th]
“America
means everybody is equal and has incredible potential … America also means
justice.” [Taylor McKinney – 9th]
“Our
nation devotes itself to being one nation under God.” [Marlena McFall - 9th]
“Our
nation was founded on Biblical morals…” [Ashley Cannon – 9th]
“…
we are inextricably bound by the same diversity that separates us.” [Yasmin
Furtick – 11th]
“Our
country is not perfect, but it is still the best country in the world.”
[Christopher Gosnell – 11th]
“In
America rags to riches isn’t a fairy tale; it’s just life.” [Erika Wade – 11th]
“America
offers a home where people of all cultures and races can live together in
peace, without fear of each other.” [Allison Gorman – 11th]
“No
matter where the American flag is flying, the stars and stripes remind me of the
sacrifice freedom, pride and hope that is America.” [Lauren Edwards – 11th]
“Freedom
comes at a price, and those who are
paying it for us deserve our support.” [Stephen Dillenberg – 11th]
“I
take comfort in fact that people in my country still care enough to help those
who truly need it.” [Christie Bonfield – 11th]
“No
matter where the flag is flying, the stars and stripes remind me of the
sacrifice, freedom, pride and hope that is Ameica.” [Lauren Edwards – 11th]
“America
is my security blanket.” [Brianne Sullivan – 12th]
“America to me means being everything you
want to be.” [Rachel Hilz – 12th]
“In
America we have the opportunity to earn and accumulate wealth.” [Megan Vinson –
12th]
“If
you don’t help anyone but yourself, then no one will ever help you.” [Steve
Martin – 12th]
“America
was made one of the finest countries because God’s hand was upon it…” [ Shane
Cannon 12th]
“The
goodness and morals that we uphold in this country are some of the most appealing
traits of Americans.” [Amber King – 12th]
“America
is a land of immense opportunities.” [Travis Chapin – 12th]
“America
is different from other nations because of its established structure and
traditions; values which define the United States as a nation of freedom and
equality.” [Laurie Arnoldy – 12th]
“America would be incredibly boring if there were no diversity.” [Catherine Coughran – 12th]
“When
you put your heart and soul into things that are important to you is when
things really get done.” [Catherine
Hardie – 12th]
“It’s
sad in a way that we do not take the time to realize what the people before us
have done to give us what we have today.” [Mick Burkhart – 12th]