Americanism Essay 2007-2008:
"What Is An American?”
Last year we had 85 applicants; this year, we had close to 250 applicants. We have 2 winners going to the State finals: Adam Vallo from Green Valley Elementary Mandy Chen from Shiloh Middle School I want to thank my judges: Ray and Carol Mirtich, Joyce Murphy, Dianne Good, Margerita Ruhrkraut and Laura Watson from the Parma School District. We also had assistance from Carol Froehlich from the Parma School District.
One of our 2 Essay winners that advanced to the State level was Mandy Chen an 8th grader from Shiloh Middle School.
I would like to share her essay on "What is an American" to you.
To me an American is someone who loves and supports the United States of America. They love their country and would do anything to protect it.
An American is someone who cherishes and honors all those important people who have died to protect our country's freedom.
I think an American would be anyone who is currently a citizen of the United States and obeys our country's laws.They would not be afraid to speak their mind, because they have freedom of speech and press. Americans try to find individual independence, to live as they please, and to worship whenever they want.
Americans do not let other people tell them what to do. They have the freedom to do whatever they please. An American is someone who respects other people's right to life and thinks that killing someone else is immoral. A true American would abide by the Constitution and realize that people have unalienable rights that you cannot take away.
Americans can be all different colors and races as long as they share a common goal—to recognize our freedom and to do what's best for our Country.
Americans are role models to other countries because they show that people are born with natural rights and that no one has the right to take that away from you.
In conclusion, I think an American is anyone who respects their country, recognizes their individual freedom, and realizes that they have the potential to live life as a free and independent person.
Our other student who advanced to the State level from Parma on the Essay "What is an American" is Adam Vallo from Green Valley Elementary.
An American is a person who has freedom. An American is a person who has opportunities, works hard and is brave. An American can be free and not have to listen to any Kings or Queens. You can have freedom of speech to say how you feel about your government.
Freedom of religion means that you can choose what you want to believe in. Freedom of assembly is when you have a group that can come together to talk about your government. In America we have a democracy so we can vote for our leader every four years. If we don't want our leader any more, we can vote for a new one.
Bravery is to go to war--to risk our lives for people. Every person in the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines are risking their lives for us. Firefighters, police officers risk their lives every day for us.
The pilgrims came to America to have freedom of religion. But first they had to work hard. There was nothing but trees and wilderness. They had to build their homes and town. The men hunted for food. The women took care of their families by cooking, sewing and caring for their children.
The government has a hard job taking care of the United States. The legislative branch makes the laws to keep everyone safe. The executive branch enforces the laws. And the judicial branch interprets the laws so they are fair to people. The President chooses the judges. The Congress gets voted into office by the citizens of the United States.
Every citizen has the right to have any kind of job they want. If a person works hard, they can get a better job. You need a good education to get a good job. You need to be responsible and reliable about your job. America is the land of opportunity. Millions of people came to America because the have a dream. They wanted better jobs, and to be free. You have many freedoms. A person with freedom, bravery, and hard working has many opportunities. That's what an American is to me.
Norman Fugitt, Americanism Chairman
Americanism Essay for
5th thru 8th grade
Topic: "Why I am Proud to be an American"
On January 14th, 2007, 61 essays were judged and the winners were selected.
5th & 6th Grade Winners--From Dag Hammarskjold Elementary School
- 1st place Jacob Hajnosz
- 2nd place Emily Bratz
- 3rd place Jennifer Latsko
7th & 8th Grade Winners--From Shiloh Middle School
- 1st place Lindsay Welch
- 2nd place Candice Rhodes
- 3rd place Lee Ann Bender
Congratulations to all of the winners. I want to thank the judges for their help--Margerita Ruhrkraut, Dianne Good, Carol & Ray Mirtich, Ruth & Tom Trotter, & Joyce Murphy.
Essay Contest Winners Win at State Level
This past January, we had Elementary and Middle schools enter the Elks Essay contest "Why I Am Proud To Be An American.”
We had two winners at the State level.
- Lindsey Welch, 5th grader at Dag Hammarskjold Elementary, won a $100.00 Savings Bond.
- Emily Bratz, 8th grader at Shiloh Middle School, won a $150.00 Savings Bond.
Norman Fugitt, Americanism Chairman
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RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR OUR ESSAY WINNERS 2005-2006
“What Old Glory Means to Me” was the subject for an essay contest that Grand Lodge coordinated. At the Lodge level, we recognized six winners, who then won at the District level and were advanced to the State Level.Our District winners were:
| PLACE | PRIZE | DIVISION I/5th & 6th grades |
| 1st | $150 Savings Bond | Haley Civittolo (Renwood) |
| 2nd | $100 Savings Bond | Alex Stojsavljevic (Renwood) |
| 3rd | Cert of Achievement | Jesse Smith (Renwood) |
| PLACE | PRIZE | DIVISION II/7th&8th grades |
| 1st | $150 Savings Bond | Steven Trodden (Shiloh) |
| 2nd | $100 Savings Bond | Alexandra Tabory (Shiloh) |
| 3rd | Cert of Achievement | Karyn Lally (Shiloh |
A brief recognition program to award these students with their prizes was held on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 7:30 p.m., in the Hall. Their families, school representatives, and city officials attended.
Lori Sottosanti, Leading Knight