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Alaska State Winner

Katie Kelley
Eagle River, AK
Kelley Academy
Home School
11th Grade

To be an American means to take personal responsibility for understanding and appreciating America's heritage, to be a politically active citizen, and to take advantage of the equality of opportunity offered here. These things manifest themselves in a citizen who is proud to shed their cultural titles and call themselves an American. When you choose to declare yourself a citizen of the United States, you should be committing to a life in submission to your Creator, bearing the fruits of responsibility and success.

Understanding history is imperative to the development of pride in your country. It is difficult to know who you are if you don't remember the experiences you've had. Experience shapes children into adults. In the same way, learning about American history gives citizens a stronger desire to call themselves Americans, rather than African-Americans, or Asian-Americans. A spirit of unity is found in historical places and books, the memories of the battles fought on our soil reminding people of what their freedom cost for others.

American government was built in such a way that the citizen would have a voice in democracy. Many wars have been fought protecting and defending our rights as defined in the Constitution. Sadly, many Americans today do not see the importance of being active in their state, local, and even national governments. Legislation has been passed making voting more convenient such as the 1993 Motor Voter Act, yet voter participation continues to decline. When a citizen passes up his opportunity to vote, he is throwing away his chance for involvement in the political process and things that will directly affect him. Essentially, he is demonstrating that he has no political efficacy, and that he is willing to give up his rights. A true American stays educated on political affairs and, if only out of appreciation for the blood it cost to secure it for him, exercises his right to vote.

Equality of opportunity is one of the most important parts of a democracy. What many people desire today is equality of outcome. True American citizens will achieve success by seizing their opportunities and making the most of the education that is available to them here. They will take responsibility for their own future, and not become a burden on the American economy.

Many more things can be considered as a mark of a devoted American citizen. Although saluting our flag and singing patriotic songs has declined in popularity in the public school system, these outward exhibitions of patriotism are excellent opportunities to educate children on how fortunate they are to belong to our country. Certainly bravery, courage, honesty, and integrity are qualities a citizen should possess. However, these are qualities that anyone should strive for. Americans should be demonstrating their own unique qualities: knowledge of their country's heritage, political efficacy, and desire for success. These things will set them apart, and if every citizen reflects these values, America will continue to cast her image worldwide as the land of the free and the home of the brave.