BIC youth wins second in Patriot's Pen essay contest

Weston Holt, sixth grader at Buffalo Island Central East Elementary, was recently honored for winning second place in the Regional Patriot's Pen youth essay contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year's theme was "Are You Proud of your Country?"

Weston wrote his essay in Mrs. Jill Sanders' social studies classroom. The Patriot's Pen essay contest is used to promote patriotism and create outstanding young spokesmen for the future.

Weston was presented a youth essay certificate of merit, a medal, and $125 for his excellent essay.

I am proud to be an American

By Weston Holt

Being an American, we are blessed with many rights and privileges that most of the world does not share.

First of all, in many countries, people are made to serve in the military. In America, we have a completely volunteer military. American citizens enjoy the privilege of serving in the military. The members of the army, navy, air force, and marines have fought to protect the rights and privileges of the American people.

Next, Americans are guaranteed certain rights in the Bill of Rights. One of the most important rights Americans have is the right to free speech. This right is given to the people of this great nation by the first amendment to the United States Constitution. In many countries, people can be put in jail for speaking things that Americans are free to say. Another right Americans have is the right to bare arms. That means that the government cannot keep people from owning guns.

In addition, many American leaders have changed history by their actions. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a man that changed America. He believed that all people should live and work together equally. Abraham Lincoln changed America by abolishing slavery. John F. Kennedy made many contributions to America. One of the most famous was that JFK started the great space race to the moon.

Finally, America has some of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the world. One of them is the Grand Canyon. People travel from all over the world to see this place of beauty. Washington, D.C., is the home of many of America's landmarks. The Lincoln Monument, the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Pentagon are just a few of the most famous landmarks in America.

There are many reasons that I am proud to be an American. America is the greatest nation in the world with the freedoms, rights, and privileges that the rest of the world can only dream of having. One of the things that makes me the most proud is the men and women that were so brave and fought and died to protect this nation, the people in it, and its way of life.