Essay Contest
America MY HOME SWEET HOME
“ AMERICA , MY HOME SWEET HOME ”
Freedom Fest ’ s 2016 Essay Topic is : “ Why is America a great place to call your “ Home , Sweet , Home ?”
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ach year , our talented Parade Chairpersons , Bob and Maureen Hunt , present the members of Freedom Fest with their idea for a wonderful theme for our 4th of July events . This year ’ s theme was eagerly adopted by Freedom Fest and is : “ America , My Home , Sweet , Home .” Once the theme was announced , the children of Morgan Hill and San Martin were encouraged to enter the Freedom Fest Essay Contest . Their topic was : “ Why is America such a great place to call your Home , Sweet , Home ?” 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 4th , 5th , and 6th Grades ( Intermediate ).
Children wrote about America ’ s beauty , democracy , opportunity for education and jobs , focus on equality , and our Armed Forces . Please take a minute to see our country through the eyes of a child by reading the winning essays in this program .
As the chairperson of this contest , I was so fortunate to be able to read each and every one of our 487 essays . This number represents the largest participation in the history of the contest . Walsh S . T . E . A . M . Academy , alone , submitted 237 entries . We received essays from home-schooled 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 Sunday , 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 . You ’ ll see the smiling faces of youngsters who understand the meaning of “ America , My Home , Sweet , Home .”
P BY KAREN ANN CRANE Children ’ s Essay Contest Chair
Primary Division
Children in Second and Third Grades
First Place
BOSTON ASHE ( El Toro Elementary School , Second Grade , Teacher : Mrs . Scovel )
think America is a good home because
I of many reasons . I have lived in America my entire life and I never want to leave . I want to stay here because other places are not as fun , safe , or as free as America . America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home ” because America is a nation under
God , America has a strong military , and Americans are free .
In America , we are free to pray , believe in God , and go to church . There are places in other countries where people cannot go to church . They get in big trouble if they do not listen to their government . There are a lot of churches in America . People from church help the poor by giving them money and food . If I could not go to church or pray , I would feel sad .
America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home ” because I feel safe . America has a strong
10 America MY HOME SWEET HOME P Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2016