Students pen essays celebrating the many faces of America
Published in the July 9-23, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
The first place winners of the 2014 Essay Contest are printed below:
Primary Division — Grades 2 and 3
By Katelin Pfeil
Katelin Pfeil
Growing up in America, I realize our country is made up of people from all around the world. My mother came from Thailand years ago. At home, she teaches my brother and me to speak Thai, and makes delicious, spicy Thai food all the time. I feel very fortunate to be raised in both American and Thai cultures.
Like my mother, many immigrants came to America to seek a new life and freedom. The unique cultures and traditions they bring with them help shape the American culture in many ways. The African-Americans have contributed significantly to art, music and sports.
For example, jazz has become a unique type of American music. Other immigrants contributed in other areas. The European laborers worked to help build railroads and canals. Many Asian-American scientists won Nobel Prizes. Hispanics have also had a big influence in American politics.
For example, Cesar Chavez played an important role in Civil Rights.
To me, “Celebrating the many faces of America” means we come together to enjoy and cherish the differences and contributions we all bring to this country. Since diversity is what makes America a great country, learning to appreciate the importance of our different identities will help unite us as a whole.
Intermediate Division — Grades 4, 5, 6
By Ashley Venditelli
Ashley Venditelli
When I think of the many faces of America, I begin by thinking of the first faces of the Native American Indians and how they selflessly assisted the Pilgrims and early pioneers get settled in a scary new land. I admire the dedication to harvest this great land which we now call the United States of America. Where would we be without explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Lewis and Clark, and Sacajawea, who cleared the path for our great 50 states?
I think of the faces of the inventors who built great inventions such as the cotton gin, telephone, automobiles, and so many other great innovations that, to this very day, are still making progress and developing our great nation. I see the great faces of many early presidents who created and signed the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and many other important laws and proclamations that set forth the footsteps of the many freedoms that the great States of America are still know for today.
I think about the many faces of all different nationalities of people from many foreign lands who have traveled thousands of miles to immigrate to America with dreams of planting roots which make up our incredible and diverse nation of people. I think about the many faces of both past and present architects and engineers who are responsible for building amazing monuments, statues and skyscrapers, that from the beginning of time until present day represent the great strength and landmarks of America. I think about the many faces of courageous astronauts such as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldridge who explored our massive skies, also doctors and scientists who have discovered cures for sickness and disease. I am so thankful to the many faces of today’s society who continue to study changes in elements that make up not only our great nation, but our world.
I also think about the many faces made up of many different religions of people we are so blessed to have. Thanks for the freedoms our great country provides that so many other nations fight for, but may never have.
I see the many faces of great technological gurus that live today and have brought our great nation and the citizens that accompany it from the beginning days to the present. The technology enables us to live with great inventions such as: computers, cellular phones, medical equipment and many different types of transportation.
I think about the many faces of America that mean the most to me and how they really touch my heart. But, most of all, I think about the many forgotten faces of America
I think about the many forgotten faces of the soldiers and the many men and women that, from the beginning, fought to protect the great United States of America.
Those are the men and women who gave their lives so that we today may have and enjoy the freedoms and liberties that so many of us take for granted and that many of the other countries in the world fight for and die for every day.
I think about the forgotten faces of our elderly citizens who have been left to die alone after they led their lives contributing to the growth and prosperity of our great nation. The forgotten faces of the disabled and impaired people that were brought into this world for a very special reason, but, have been left in institutions or on the streets with no one to care for them. I think of the many forgotten faces of the homeless people who have spent many years working and paying taxes only to fall victim to depressions and economic fallouts and end up in a shelter or on a street corner.
And let’s not forget the forgotten faces of the children. Children that were brought into this great nation only to end up abused, neglected or abandoned. You see, I was one of those forgotten faces.
I believe the greatest faces of America are the faces of humanity, compassion, caring, understanding, and most of all, the faces of love.
It is because of those faces that I am proud to be an American.
Katelin Pfeil is a student in the D.I.M.E. Program at San Martin/Gwinn Elementary School. Her teacher is Sara Ortiz. Ashley Venditelli attends Jackson Academy of Math and Music. Her teacher is teacher is Ms. Reilly McCoy.
