Two students in the Silver Falls School District took first placed in the essay contest sponsored by the Silverton Elks Lodge 2210 on “What I can do to promote Americanism and love of country?”
Silverton Elks PER Dan Buckholz said there were two divisions – Division One for fifth and sixth grades and Division Two for seventh and eighth grades.
First place winners received $200 scholarships.
For Division One, Scotts Mills sixth-grade student Ryan Brown won first place for the state division.
For Division Two, Silver Crest Elementary School eighth-grader Aneisa Fink won first place.
Both Brown and Fink had their papers submitted to the Elks National Committee and should learn by July 4 if they place nationally.
Buckholz said said students who participated in the Silverton Elks Lodge contest garnered three of the top six awards and took first place in each division. There are 53 Elks Lodges in Oregon that submitted students essays.
By Ryan Brown
Scotts Mills Elementary School sixth-grade student
I can promote Americanism and love of country by voting and believing in our Country. When I turn 18, I will register to vote and tell my friends to vote, too. Voting helps us make America what we are.
One way to show love of America is to serve in the military.
Veterans love their country, that’s why they volunteer to serve.
My grandpa served as an infantryman in Vietnam when he was 18 years old. He didn’t like being a soldier, but he thought he was going to be drafted and he loved his country, so he served in the war.
Every Veteran’s Day I say thank you to my grandpa. It is important to honor our veterans. I can also send care packages to the soldiers, who appreciate and cherish the moments.
Every Monday at my school, we say the Pledge of Allegiance, and then we raise the American flag. Many people let off fireworks on Independence Day, and to go parades to celebrate being Americans. These things promote the love of our country.
Another way to promote Americanism is to protect our unique American freedoms.
One of these freedoms is freedom of speech. I can promote it by listening to other ideas that aren’t my own.
Another special American thing is freedom from fear. I think Americans should have guns for hunting and other lawful purposes. I don’t think people should go around killing other people like ISIS terrorists and psychos! We shouldn’t have to be afraid of people with guns.
I feel great being an American and lucky to live here. These are some ways I hope to promote Americanism and loving this country, so we can live a long and happy life with our friends.
By Aneisa Fink
Silver Crest Elementary eighth-grade student
Freedom.
Citizens of the United States of America, such as myself, possess it.
But do we appreciate it?
To promote Americanism, I will strive to be an example of how to honor, cherish and respect my freedom.
To honor my freedom, I will recognize the heroes that have fought to gain my sovereignty, and those who are currently fighting to maintain it.
To acknowledge and commend them, I will simply say “thank you.”
It’s an uncomplicated but impactful gesture that could make all the difference for a deserving serviceman, past or present.
To cherish my freedom, I will embrace the timeless patriotic symbols of our nation. The Pledge of Allegiance, The Star Spangled Banner, The Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution are just some of the fundamental symbols of America.
By embracing these representations, I intend to share them with my generation and future generations to come.
To respect my freedom, I will not take it for granted.
Freedom is a right Americans are entitled to, and privileged to have. Although some may exercise it in a way that is hurtful to others, I shall demonstrate the respectful way to honor other’s viewpoints and state opinions of my own.
My freedom, our freedoms, must be appreciated and celebrated. Honoring veterans and servicemen, cherishing the symbols of our nation and respecting the beliefs of others is how I will appreciate my freedom, and promote Americanism.
