Maddy Webbe

Grade 8

Teacher: Kay Honeyman

For those who don't live in America, this country may just seem like Abercrombie clothes, baseball, and hamburgers. To others, it may be where they dream of living and starting a better life. But to me, America means a future filled with freedom and infinite possibilities.

America provides me with encouragement and endless opportunities to fulfill my dreams and goals. Speakers come to our schools and educate teens about various jobs and vocations. They motivate us to receive a good education and be successful in life. I remember in kindergarten bringing my dad to talk about his job. Having a career is respected and expected in the United States. At young ages, children are asked what they want to be when they grow up. Kids openly reply they want to be astronauts, firemen, baseball players, doctors, dentists, Marines, and policemen. Unless they want to be a super hero, there is a good chance they will achieve career success with hard work and America's available opportunities! In other countries, children are expected and even forced to work in fields, factories, and become soldiers when they are just teenagers. We are very fortunate that our society values children and education so we have expectations and choices.

In America there is an overwhelming amount of knowledge waiting to be absorbed. No matter who you are or how old you are, you are never denied an education. Here, it is against the law for a parent to keep their child from going to school. Public schools are open to everyone so all children have access to a adequate public education. America's value of education is directly opposed to that some countries in the Middle East. Afghanistan has only just opened schools for women. But in the U.S.A., every race and gender is not just allowed but expected to learn. You can never get to a point in school or college where someone says "Stop, you've learned too much!" Our society could never be content with limited learning or limited access to information. Repressive governments and tyrannical regimes suppress and control their public by limiting education and information. An informed and educated public would demand change. Change is what evil dictators and self-serving public officials fear the most. Americans are fortunate that our society is open and constantly generating new ideas. I think knowledge and a good education is what keeps America strong and always moving forward into a brighter future.

I also see America as a safe haven for those in need of protection. Protection from war, oppression, and poverty. Children can run through pastures and the presence of landmines are never in their thoughts. Mothers and their children can visit the grocery store without worry of a terrorist car bomb. Immigrants come seeking shelter from evil dictators and the pain and suffering of civil war. My teacher read us a story of an immigrant new to America. It took him several years to stop reacting to the sirens of ambulances and police cars. Sirens of help, not of war and attacks! America shelters newcomers from the poverty of many countries. Jobs can be found at any level and provide wages that feed families. I hope to never experience such hardships because of my government and country. America enables me to live without fear, but with hope.

America means a future filled with freedom and infinite possibilities. I would proudly fight for this freedom. So many people go through life without ever fulfilling their dreams, goals, or even their true potential. My country inspires me. I am only limited by myself not my country.