Noah Coleman Chapter2011 DAR Good Citizens Winning Essay
The DAR Good
Citizens program and Scholarship Contest is intended to encourage
and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The program is open
to all senior class students enrolled in accredited public or
private secondary schools who are in good standing with their
state boards of education. United States citizenship is not
required.
The below winning essay was
written by a Senior Class Student attending the Fatima High School in Westphalia, Missouri.
Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It
Heritage defines who we are as people. It is crucial to
understand the past in order to improve our future. By preserving
our American heritage, we can ensure that future generations will
be taught good character, morality, and citizenship. Our founding
fathers dreamed of a country where men and women could be free
and safe. They began a tradition of valuing honesty, integrity,
and reliability. So far, that dream has been a reality. In the
past two-hundred years, our country has become a world power and
it is up to us and future generations to uphold the reputation of
our nation.
Our heritage has been influenced by many nationalities from
around the world. As immigrants arrived in places like Ellis
Island, consumed with the American dream, they created a
melting-pot of cultures, combining to become today's American
heritage. Traditions of one country would meld with those of
another and eventually be deemed "American". I believe
there is one American heritage that has been derived from
countless outside influences. Numerous countries surrounding the
United States have contributed in developing our heritage. We as
Americans value character, honesty, and integrity among other
things. It is important to be able to trust others and to work
hard to obtain the American dream. Most people realize that
nothing is free and everything requires commitment and
perseverance. Preserving our heritage will ensure the success of
our country's future.
As citizens of the United States, it is our duty to preserve our
history and heritage. A good citizen loves God, his country, and
his countrymen. He treats others as he would like to be treated,
and abides by the law. He participates in government, is honest,
and trustworthy. He supports his troops, honors the flag, and
flies it proudly. It is everyone's duty to be a good citizen
and maintain our country's reputation. The combination of
many cultures into one has created a heritage that values every
person and opinion. Americans live in a free country where
everyone can and should contribute. We must continue the
tradition of democracy by preserving our heritage and showing
pride in our country. We have to continue to value the opinion of
others and work together to achieve common goals. Good citizens
place the needs of others above their own and understand that our
current livelihood developed from the assimilation of millions of
different people. They realize it is their obligation as a
citizen to preserve our past in order to improve our
future.
Although people call themselves German American, French American,
or African American, the point is, they are American. They all
live in the same country and enjoy the same freedoms. It
doesn't matter which country their family originated in
because now, their heritage is American and it is their duty to
preserve it. By preserving our heritage and teaching it to future
citizens, we can ensure that the American way of life will
continue to be enjoyed by all.
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