Intermediate Division
Children in Fourth , Fifth , and Sixth Grades
was born in Jiangxi province , China ,
I during the “ Year of the Monkey ,” 2004 . Coincidentally , the U . S . gained independence on July 4 , 1776 , in the “ Year of the Monkey ,” too . So , even before I became a citizen , the U . S . and I had a lot in common . My adoptive parents took me to be sworn in as a U . S . citizen when I was ten months old at the U . S . Consulate in Guangzhow , China . We got on a plane the very next day and headed for New York , New York , to start my new life as a citizen in my adopted country , America !
I lived in New York City until I was six years old . During that time I traveled to New Mexico , Texas , Pennsylvania , New Hampshire , New Jersey , Rhode Island , and even the capital , Washington , D . C . I have seen the Statue of Liberty , Indian pueblos , Laurel Caverns , White Mountains , the Washington Monument , the White House and a whole bunch more ! Even as a little child , these places inspired me with their beauty , majesty , power , importance , and history !
Then I moved to California , the Golden State , in 2011 . This was one of the biggest changes of my family ’ s lives . We settled in Morgan Hill which is in the South Bay area also known as the South Valley . The towering redwood forests , plentiful poppies , rolling hills , fertile valleys , snowcapped mountains , and lapping , lazy beaches all became part of my new life and home . Moving across the country was one of the greatest experiences of my life . I saw the many differences of our country first hand such as : cultures , geography , history , and opinions .
In my opinion , the United States of America is absolutely , positively ,
First Place
MING LU CHEN ( Nordstrom Elementary , Sixth Grade , Teacher : Mrs . Sheets )
incredible ! It ’ s a country where everybody has a chance and can become someone memorable and great . You can be a genius and cure cancer or the common cold . Or , maybe you can write and star in a new hit musical , win the Nobel Peace Prize , and change how we think . You could create a masterpiece that will be praised for years to come or map the deepest oceans and the farthest reaches of the galaxy . The U . S . is a land of hope , dreams , and endless opportunity .
I wasn ’ t born in the U . S ., but I have been in my adoptive country for practically all my life . I have experienced the U . S . from the East to the West coast . The United States of America is now my home , sweet , home and , as I strive to make my mark , I am hopeful that it will never change . After all , we were both born in the year of the ambitious , adventurous , clever , creative , and hardworking monkey !
Second Place
JOSH PROVENCIO ( Walsh S . T . E . A . M . Academy , Fifth Grade , Teacher : Mrs . Burkhart )
Why is America my home , sweet , home ? America is my home because they have amazing places to visit . They also provide many things for you . They have food that is good . America has a democracy . We have the chance to choose who the president will be . We can choose the governor and can vote in any election . We also have free education . America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home .”
First , America is my “ Home , Sweet , Home ” because we are safe . We have safety because we have policemen . We also have the military who keep us safe from other countries . We have the Air Force to help in a war as well . Other countries like Syria are being overcome by ISIS . Syrians could not fight back and are now fleeing for their lives .
Another reason is that America gives
12 America MY HOME SWEET HOME P Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2016