2009 Student Writing Challenge Winners

Steven Harwood - First Place Winner
12th Grade
Northview High School
"Patriotism"

In the midst of the current election season, discussions of patriotism, particularly of the patriotism of the various candidates, have repeatedly arisen. We as Americans place a high value on patriotism, and even if we agreed with a candidate on every issue, many of us would be unwilling to vote for someone whom we saw as unpatriotic. But throughout most of these discussions, one fundamental question remains unanswered. What exactly is patriotism to an average American in 2008? The answer is that patriotism is many things.

Patriotism is supporting the American form of government. Representative democracy is the foundation of American freedom, and a patriot should lend it the utmost respect, for only with the belief and approval of the people can it exist. Of course, there are those in the Government who would put their own interests before those of their nation, and the people's respect for the institution of democracy must be such that they will cast out those who pervert it. Thus, patriotism also entails a healthy mistrust of the Government.
Patriotism is supporting those who risk their lives in the defense of the United States, whether or not one agrees with the military action itself. The men and women who serve in our military do not decide where and when they go to war, and thus it is unfair and ignorant to direct one's disapproval of policy at them. In fact, many of them may also disagree with the political reasons behind a given action, and the very fact that they put their lives on the line for our country regardless of this fact should only increase our respect for them.

Patriotism is being a responsible citizen. A patriot fulfills her duty to the United States by voting. A patriot upholds justice by serving as a willing and impartial juror. A patriot observes and respects the laws, and she works to change those she finds unjust. A patriot takes pride in providing for his family with his own hard work, and he is always willing to work to get ahead; a patriot does not wait for others to do things for him.

Patriotism is welcoming every American, regardless of what color their skin is, their gender, where they were born, or any other trivial matter of birth or personal preference. America is a nation built on immigration, and a true American will respect anyone who is willing to give up the familiarity and security of his homeland to pursue a better life as an American, providing that this is done legally.
Patriotism is condemning those who would use its name to advance unworthy causes. "The stoutest and truest Americans are the very men who have the least sympathy with the people who invoke the spirit of Americanism to aid what is vicious in our government." This was written by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1894, and it is still true today. There are none more unworthy and contemptible than those who would pervert the spirit of Patriotism for their own benefit, and a true patriot will look upon them accordingly.

Patriotism is pride. A patriot flies the Stars and Stripes and sings the Star Spangled Banner proudly, and affords these symbols of our freedom the utmost respect. He looks back proudly at the many great accomplishments in American history, while humbly learning from the many mistakes. A patriot is always proud to say he is an American.

All of these things must combine to produce what we know as patriotism. An American who flies the Flag and supports the troops but is blinded by prejudice is no American at all, but rather a useless and contemptible citizen. So too is he who welcomes all but fails to love his country, and indeed the same can be said of anyone who shows only some elements of patriotism. True patriotism exists only when these qualities are united by a deep love for and devotion to the United States and everything for which she stands, a love and devotion found in millions of ordinary, hard-working citizens throughout the country. It is this immovable army of patriots that has made, and continues to make, America the greatest nation in the world.

Sarah Legault - Second Place Winner
11th Grade
Forest Hills Northern High School
"Patriotism"

The word "patriotism" plays a limited role in our lives today. In the bustle between work and school and home, we forget to take pride in our country. Unlike Americans in the nation's early years, when the concept of freedom still rang with freshness and the idea of the United States captivated all Americans, today, we take our nation for granted. We forget our ancestors' struggle to win this land. We ignore the wonder of this country's achievements: the union of multiple states, the first nation on the moon, the leader of the twenty-first century. We overlook all of these claims. Then, at night on television, we listen to politicians reprimand us for a lack of patriotism. They demand that we fight for our country, support our troops, vote. They use the word "patriotism" shallowly. For them, it serves to guilt us into action, to convince us to support their campaign. Eventually, we accept the politicians' definition as the sole meaning of patriotism; however, their propaganda blinds us to the deeper meaning. Patriotism means not just fighting for the country, but support for our country, loyalty to our country, and pride in our country.

At our nation's beginning, those who supported breaking from Great Britain called themselves patriots. Although not all patriots fought in the war, they all supported the aberrant idea of a new nation. Pride in America began with them. After the war ended, the pride continued, spurring the beginning of a great era of nationalism.

The leaders of nationalism wanted the best for America. They attempted to break all ties with Europe and forge a purely American culture. A new culture, they believed, served America's best interest. They understood that supporting a nation involves attempting to improve it. We want a nation to be worthy of our support, before we pledge it. Since the United States, according to the Constitution, is "a nation for the people, by the people, and of the people," we, the people, determine its success; our actions determine whether it deserves our support, pride and loyalty. Therefore, patriotism encompasses not only the loyalty given to the nation, but the actions we perform to contribute to its well-being.

These actions may occur in small towns or the capital itself. They all help the country. Some instances may attract the attention of countless people, including future generations. George Washington led us through the Revolutionary War; Abraham Lincoln held the nation together in spite of the South's defiance; Gerald R. Ford brought the people through a great loss of faith in the government. In other cases, though, the acts never receive attention: the quiet man who offers to house the homeless, the laborers who form the base of our entire country. Every day, patriotism appears in this mundane form; since, in order to help our nation, we must help the people who compose it. Without us, no nation, only a block of land exists here.

In truth, then, patriotism consists of many layers. At first, we assume it includes only one layer, but with further inspection, we realize it embraces many more. Political propaganda only skims the most basic meaning of the word. Patriotism encompasses each individual's efforts to raise the nation. Only when we succeed in building a nation we feel deserves our loyalty, can we give it that loyalty.

Long ago, our founding fathers provided us with the foundation for this patriotism. They gave us the best start any nation could desire. They gave us a nation based on freedom. From there, the United States grew. Our heritage contains a long list of attributes of which to boast, a list of powers gained. When we hear the word patriotism, those attributes should come to mind. Never, though, should we consider that list complete. Our nation deserves more. We must build our nation and we must build our patriotism. On the past, we should look with pride. On the future, we should look with expectation.