Essay Contest
“ THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP ” Freedom Fest ’ s Essay Topic is : “ If you could take a trip to any of America ’ s National Monuments , Historic Sites , or National Parks , where would you go and why ?”
“ I am apt to believe that ( Independence Day ) will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great American Festival . It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty . It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade , shows , games , sports , guns , bells , bonfires and illuminations , from one end of the continent to the other , from this time forever forward .”
– President John Adams
The children of Morgan Hill and San Martin began thinking about the 4th of July in March when they were invited to enter Morgan Hill Freedom Fest ’ s Essay Contest . Essays were due the end of April . At that time , our panel of judges had the difficult task of choosing winners in our two divisions : Children in 2nd and 3rd Grades ( Primary ) and Children in Grades 4th , 5th , and 6th Grades ( Intermediate ).
This year ’ s Freedom Fest Theme , “ The Great American Road Trip ” was reflected in our Essay Contest Topic : “ If you could take a trip to any of America ’ s National Monuments , Historic Sites , or National Parks , where would you go and why ?”
Our entries highlighted the wealth of America ’ s parks , national monuments , and historic sites . Children wrote about traveling to places they had only read about in books or seen on TV . Our youngsters wrote about traveling to the Everglades , Pearl Harbor , Yosemite , Seattle ’ s Space Needle , the 9 / 11 Memorial , Plymouth Rock , Alcatraz , and the Liberty Bell , to name a few .
As the chairperson of this contest , I was so fortunate to be able to read each and every one of our 414 essays . This number represents the largest participation in the history of the contest . Walsh S . T . E . A . M . Academy alone submitted 199 entries ! My wish would be that each of our entrants would be able to visit the destination they chose , and many others , during their lifetimes !
We received essays from homeschooled children as well as from students in our community ’ s public and private schools . We thank our young authors and their teachers for taking the time to share their thoughts with us .
Each child who wrote an essay received a ribbon and Patriotic pencil for his / her efforts . Our winners receive cash , T-shirts , and trophies . They are our “ Guests of Honor ” at this year ’ s Patriotic Sing to be held Friday , July 3rd at 6 p . m . at the Morgan Hill Amphitheater ( Dunne and Monterey ). Be watching for them on the antique Fire Truck in our Freedom Fest 4th of July Parade .
Please take a minute to read our winning essays . Because of Freedom Fest ’ s great theme , you ’ ll be taking a “ Great American Road Trip ” without leaving Morgan Hill !
P BY KAREN ANN CRANE Children ’ s Essay Contest Chair
Route 66 holds a special place in American consciousness and evokes images of simpler times , mom and pop businesses , and the icons of a mobile nation on the road . Travelers visit the historic places that recall those images and experiences that are reminders of our past and evidence of the influence of the automobile . Route 66 embodies a complex , rich history that goes well beyond any chronicle of the road itself . As an artery of transportation , an agent of social transformation , and a remnant of America ’ s past , it stretches 2,400 miles across two-thirds of the continent .
10 THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP P Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2015