Linn sophomore Aushara Hostetler last Wednesday was announced as the winner of this year’s Voice of Democracy essay contest at a Veterans Day assembly. Due to COVID-19, students were not at the event except for those performing musical and vocal pieces but the assembly was streamed to classrooms.
Hostetler’s essay encouraged everyone to imagine a time where they can live freely, dressing however they want, believing whatever they want, and living however they want.
“Imagine, all American citizens have rights and responsibilities for their state and nation, and you (no matter what gender or ethnicity) are equal to the person sitting next to you. Did you imagine it? It’s great right? Well, congratulations, you’re living it. We live in a time in American history that we are free, we have rights and responsibilities as citizens of the nation, and we are as equal as ever; everything the founding fathers wanted for our country.
“As the country of the United States, we have been able to exude freedom throughout the nation, and we have had years of history to showcase why we are free and the different ways we have become free as our country has progressed,” Hostetler continued. “A major reason for the freedom we have today is the abolishment of slavery. No matter what skin tone or ethnic background you have, you can do whatever you want. At a certain point in time, our country had a limited idea of freedom. As we have matured as a country, through time that idea of freedom has matured as well. Along with granting freedom to all ethnicities, freedom has also been expanded to include all genders. I, as a young woman, can own my own home, run my own business, and dream my own dreams. I don’t have to live the same life my parents have lived, and I do not have to accomplish and do what other people tell me I need to do because that’s what they believe will be best for me. Also, we have the opportunity to practice and portray whatever religion and beliefs we want to as individual people. My belief is very important to me, and the founding fathers would be pleased to know that I can express my beliefs to anyone I would like. With that being said, the cost of freedom was loss and sacrifice, bravery, and courage. I know one hundred percent, that the founding fathers are smiling at the thought that we have wonderful men and women that have the strength and courage to risk their lives for the freedom of others. Over the 244 years since this country’s founding, thousands of men and women have fought on battlefields or in the streets to secure freedom for all, abolishing slavery, making all men and women free, and we have the opportunities to showcase and practice whatever religion you would like to personally, no matter what your family and friends believe.
“With freedom within the country comes the responsibilities and rights of each American citizen, making us all involved with the nation and the government,” Hostetler went on. “One of the many responsibilities we have as Americans is the right to vote. It doesn’t matter what or who you believe will do the absolute best for the country in a specific situation, but you have the responsibility to vote for that person. Voting is so incredibly important because you are able to say in private who you believe is the best person to take on the position that is open. This right is not offered to people of all nations, which makes it that much more important that we use our power to vote. Another example of a right that is available to each and every one of us today is the freedom of speech, a very important and well known right for the American citizen. With this example, you are able to say whatever you want and whatever you feel is necessary to be said about a specific topic or problem at hand. Our rights and responsibilities as citizens are an honor, giving us a chance to vote for the leaders that we think will benefit our country and individual states. We have many rights as Americans such as freedom of speech, declaring whatever we want, and holding our tongue whenever we find it appropriate.
“As exemplified through the guarantee that every American has rights and responsibilities, and every single person has the same rights and responsibilities, it is clear that all Americans are equal as people,” Hostetler continued. “Equality is shown throughout the workforce, for example. During the time of our founding fathers, women could not hold the same positions as men could, and black men and women were owned by white men. Fast forward to the present day, and no matter what you look like or what gender you are, you can go to college for whatever degree you want, and you can work wherever and do whatever you would like to. Speaking of college, education is another part of the American culture that has changed from the past. For example, women went to high school if they were lucky enough to, college, however, was often out of reach. People of color weren’t even allowed to read! Looking again to the present day, now we are expected to attend and finish high school, and there are more students attending college after high school than not. As a young woman, I have the opportunity to accomplish postsecondary education after high school, just like any of the boys in my school. I can hold any job that I want to and I’m able to achieve whatever degree I would like. We live in a time when we are equal no matter how we look, act, or believe, and we have many opportunities as equal people.
“In the United States of America, we are given the chance to wake up every morning and experience freedom, we get to experience what it’s like to have rights and responsibilities, and we get to experience equality,” Hostetler said. “I understand that we are not perfect, but I look at what other people in other countries have to experience, and it makes me hurt. When I compare the U.S to other countries, I feel like our founding fathers have to be proud. We have accomplished so much, and are working toward accomplishing so much more. So be thankful for what we are given, what the founding fathers dreamed for our country, and what they started within our nation.”
Lanie Branson was second in this contest and Emma Kucsik finished third.
Linn Middle School student Gabe Branson entered the winning Patriot Pen essay entitled, “What Patriotism Means to Me,” which he read at last week’s virtual assembly.
“Patriotism. It’s a word we all seem to know, but when we think about it in a more serious setting. It’s kind of hard to define. Sure, you could use the textbook definition, or find it on Google, or believe it’s shouting, “America!” while drinking a can of Coca-Cola at a barbecue. While sure, that sounds like patriotism, it just doesn’t feel right. Loving your country is something that you can’t put into words. You have to give examples of when it appears in order to find what patriotism really is.
“Patriotism, it appears after tragedy a lot,” Branson continued. “Whenever a tragic event strikes our country down. Whether natural, domestic, or foreign, if something is a detriment to our country, we stand together to protect it and fight back whatever hit us, and if caused by someone, we hit back harder. That’s an example of patriotism.
“Patriotism, it can be a small thing,” Branson went on. “Maybe an international sporting event that represents America. Cheering our participants on is patriotism, rooting for your country to win the competition, something so small to support your country is patriotism.
“Patriotism, you can individually support it. If you fight for our country in any way. It could be direct, like serving in the military and its branches. It could be indirect, by having a job and providing services that help our economy. STEM workers help us innovate and make our country better. If you work a legal job, you are helping this country, and everybody thanks you for that.
“Patriotism is many things,” Branson said. “It can be as simple as working a job or cheering your country on at an event. It can be as major as joining together in a group to fight back against a threat. What is Patriotism? It’s supporting the perseverance of your country in any way. It’s supporting the economy of your country, It’s joining the military. Showing your support. Again, Patriotism is many things.”
Second place went to Vivien Baker, and Kiana Hostetler took third.
Also at Monday’s assembly, NHS President Karlie Ray provided a history of Veterans Day, and several musical performances were held, including songs from the Linn chamber choir, and elementary students, along with selections played by the band.