military that keeps us safe from bad guys . If America did not have a strong military , we would lose our freedom . Some of our military sacrifice their lives for our freedom . Other countries are afraid of America because we have a strong military . If we did not , they would attack us .
In America , we are free and are not servants . If I was a servant , I would do a lot of work and get nothing . In America , when you work hard , you are rewarded . In America , we can grow things , sing songs and play games . In some places , the government tells you what to grow or sing or play . That would make me sad . I am happy to be an American .
America is the greatest country on earth . There are so many good things about America that I cannot count them all . That is why America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home .
Second Place
MELANIE NGUYEN ( Charter School of Morgan Hill , Third Grade , Teacher : Ms . Weinstein )
am a third generation Vietnamese American . Unlike my parents and grandpar-
I
ents who immigrated here to the USA , I ’ m the first generation in the family who was born and raised in the United States . I am , therefore , an American by birth and America is my only home .
Through many stories from my parents ’ generation , I learned that many of the basic things I enjoy and take for granted today are not available or not accessible in many other parts of the world . In some countries , there ’ s no such thing as freedom of speech . If I was to disagree with the government and speak up against it , I could be arrested and jailed . Here in America , I can speak freely what I think , I can honestly express my opinions .
I have been watching the presidential campaigns lately with my parents . They also explained to me that the right to vote does not exist in many countries . In those countries , I would not have had any say on who would be the president . Here , I am glad that I have the freedom to make my own choices , and I will have the right to vote when I ’ m old enough to become eligible . My vote can make a difference and I can influence the future of America .
I also learned that women do not have the same rights as men in different parts of the world . As a girl , I would not have the same right to education as a boy . Equally unfair , women are not allowed to drive , not allowed to have the same job as men even if they ’ re capable , or not allowed to run for important positions . Here in the USA , I can have as much education as I like . I can even run for president , as the example set by Ms . Hillary Clinton .
Watching the news about on-going wars in many regions of the world , I feel
fortunate to live in America where I feel safe and protected . Imagine that I have to live in a place full of fear from all the war going around me . I would just feel sad , frightened and insecure . Knowing that my parents had to risk their lives escaping from Vietnam helped me better appreciate growing up in my peaceful home country .
America is also known to be a place where dreams can come true . If I work hard and persevere , I will have a chance to reach my potential and fulfill my dream . As I recently learned from Sharkboy and Lavagirl movie : “ Everything that is or was began with a dream . So dream a better dream and work to make it reality .”
I can call America “ My Home , Sweet , Home ” as I always feel safe and secure around my family , I enjoy many rights and privileges not available in many countries , and I can be all that I can be .
Third Place
PAOLA LEDESMA ( Barrett Elementary School , Third Grade , Teacher : Mrs . De Haro )
This is why I think America is a good place to call my “ Home , Sweet , Home ”. One reason is we have freedom .
For example , I have the freedom to go to school . We have the freedom to choose any religion we want . Also , we have the freedom to choose where we want to live . Another reason why I think America is a good place to call my “ Home , Sweet , Home ” is that there are laws that say you have to go to school . I also like that there is free access to school . We , in America , are lucky to be able to go to school . Education is the best thing you can give a child .
My final reason why I think America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home ” is because you can choose any religion you want . In my case , I am Catholic , while most of my friends belong to a different religion . This does not stop us from being friends . These are my reasons why I think America is my great “ Home , Sweet , Home .
America MY HOME SWEET HOME P Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2016 11