|
|
Students Pledge to America for VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been conducting the Voice of Democracy Contest since its start back in 1947. The contest provides more than $2.5 million annually in awards and scholarships.
The Voice of Democracy Contest is in two parts. The Patriot\'s Pen Youth Essay Writing Contest is open to 7th and 8th grade students. The top 24 national winners receive at least a $1,000 savings bond with the first place award currently being a $10,000 savings bond.
The Voice of Democracy Patriotic Audio Essay Competition is open to students in 9-12th grade students who participate worldwide in each of the VFW\'s 54 departments with the opportunity to voice their opinion about their personal obligations as an American and address their responsibility to our country. Those 54 department winners all receive a trip to Washington D.C. for a tour of historic landmarks in the nation\'s capitol. While there, they compete for $143,500 in national scholarships including a $25,000 first prize.
Contestants write and record a three to five minute essay on an annual theme. This year\'s theme for both contests was "My Commitment to America\'s Future." Deadline for entries was Nov. 1, 2003. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was proud to announce that Jessica Marquez is her post\'s local winner of the Voice of Democracy Patriotic Audio Essay Competition and will be visiting her state capital with winners from other posts to compete for the national award. Her winning essay is below followed by her 2002 essay which was also quite compelling though not the grand prize entry.
My Commitment to Americas Future
Americas future is held in the lives of its children. In turn, todays educators have the privilege of shaping and contributing to the success of this nation like no other profession in the country. On a daily basis, teachers reaffirm the sentiment, which was the foundation of this country. Etched on the Statue of Liberty, and in the consciousness of our nation are these words, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" I firmly believe that my desire to become an educator is driven by these words and this amazing feat is where my commitment to Americas future lies.
In America no child is ever denied the right to an education. No person, rich or poor, regardless of race, color, or creed is ever refused the opportunity to gain knowledge. My life long experience with educators has shown me the impact that teachers have on young minds. My sister and my brother-in-law are both teachers and often share their experiences with me. They tell of students who come from homes where there is little care and nurturing and how they not only must be their teacher, but also the "lamp beside the golden door," leading them towards success. Just as my teachers imparted this upon me and upon hundreds of students in their careers, I too want to take part in this fulfilling adventure.
Much as Lady liberty became a symbol of hope and opportunity, so have teachers today. Educators open their doors, their hearts, their minds, and more importantly their arms and exclaim "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free Send these to me" no questions asked, and I will teach them. Telling all who cross the threshold of that classroom they are wanted, important, and capable of securing Americas future.
I feel that I play an important role in the development of this country and that it is my duty to share my wealth of knowledge and compassion for others with those that will follow me. I alone cannot shape the future of America, nor can any of my peers. However, collectively we can ensure a triumphant end by becoming the means in which my students will travel. As an educator I can be the "lamp beside the golden door" of knowledge, success and opportunity. My commitment to my students, and what I teach them, is a guide. It is the light that I will shine upon their minds that they will be able to use to find their own path and their own place. There, they too, will have the opportunity to make their own commitment and contribution to our nation.
My commitment to America is not one that will ever earn me a medal or a plaque in a place of high regard. It is more important to me to know that every day I will be making a difference in the life of a child. Children are the future of this nation, and it is my hope that I can make a positive impact on every child that enters my classroom. I hope that I can teach them not only the importance of reading, writing, and believing in themselves but also what an important role they will play in the lives of their peers as well as the generations that will follow them.
By Jessica Marquez - (2003)
Freedoms Obligation
Freedom is a liberty that has been the foundation of the United States for hundreds of years. It is a privilege that we have, at times, taken for granted. It has not only become a standard of living for us, as Americans, but it is an expectation that we have set for those countries in which it does not exist, in hopes that they will recognize the importance of freedom.
Freedom is much more than the ability to choose, speak, and believe as we would like. It is something that provides a sense of security, a feeling of safety. It fosters a sense that, as people, we can make decisions for the betterment of our lives and the lives of those around us.
As a country in which freedom was a building block, it has become our nations obligation to ensure that freedom expands across all cultures and all countries, and that it too is a liberty that all people are allowed. It is also an obligation in which we must help those, whose freedoms are few, or even non-existent, find, create, and continually develop them.
Because our nation has such a strong foundation based upon many freedoms, we have an obligation to take a stand when it is known that people may be suffering. Our nation not only has an abundance of resources, like military strength and economic wealth, but we also have a country full of educated people who recognize the need for a world equally as free as the United States. Freedom is something that our country has fought for since its inception. Going back to the time of the Boston Tea Party, and the events that ultimately led up to the American Revolution, continuing through two world wars, and even up to the present day war on terrorism, the United States has always stood firm in its stance against tyranny.
Freedoms obligation not only falls upon our country, but upon individuals as well. In my sixteen years, it is sad to say, that I have seen first hand an example of tyranny within my own life. A Muslim girl in my school discovered a note in which she was threatened and felt her life was in danger. The note threatened that, because she was Muslim, the recent attacks on our country were somehow her fault and she would have to suffer for them, and the pain they caused. She was afraid to walk through the halls of a school that she once felt safe in and even felt scared to be in a country that she called her home.
If we allow these types of incidents to occur within our own schools and communities, we are just as guilty of the very oppression that we have constantly fought against. As a member of the associated student body at my school, I feel an even greater responsibility to take a stand against actions like this.
Freedoms obligation is not only to expand the liberties that we know, but it is to fight against the fear that is felt when freedom doesnt exist. It is a call into action by people of all colors, all races, all cultures, to become advocates of freedom in order to strengthen our nation, as well as all the nations of the world.
By Jessica Marquez - 2002
Visit Our Other Sites
African Americans| American Revolution| American Indians| Asian Americans| Bill of Rights| Buffalo Soldiers| Congressional Gold Medal| Defense of Freedom Medal| Historical Documents| Hispano Mundo| History Hotline| Homework Hotline| Iraqi War|Korean War| Latin Americans| Medal Of Honor|Medal of Freedom| Medal of Valor| Mexican Americans|Native Americans| Outlaw Women|1st Amendment| Spanish American War | Terrorism Medal| U S Constitution| Vietnam War
Contact
1996-2004 Americans.net |
|
|
|
|
Home
