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Georgia State Winner

Adrianne Parker
Valdosta, GA
Covenant Academy
Home School
10th Grade

What does it mean to be an American? Easy question, right? "Being an American means someone was born in America." Not necessarily, but that's what I thought when I was first asked this question. Being an American is more than a place of birth: it is a state of heart and a state of mind. Twelve percent of American citizens migrated here from another country, and just because a person was born in America doesn't necessarily make that person a red, white, and blue American. Being an American is not only being born in the USA, it is thinking and acting like an American.

Americans don't always agree on issues. Even before 1776 Americans fought with each other over ideas about how this country should be designed, making us stronger as a nation. Unity in spite of diversity is what makes our nation great. After all, we are the United States of America.

When they're young, we tell our children to voice their opinions and to speak up for what they believe. Sadly as they grow older, many people try to tell them to agree with what others say and to smile and nod -- even if they strongly disagree. When our thoughts lead to words, and words to our actions, if our thoughts were stifled, our actions may also come to a halt. If all Americans were forced to think the same way as our political leaders, we would no longer have a Republic; we would have a dictatorship. While Americans do disagree on many issues, true Americans will agree that they want to live only in America.

In order to be truly an American, a person must act like one. We should not just live in the United States and do nothing. We need to get involved in the political process and vote for admirable candidates. We as Americans have the privilege and constitutional right to vote for whom we want in office. Our appreciation for this right has led us to help Iraqi citizens establish voting rights for the first time in their lives, rights which will allow them to elect whom they want in parliament.

Another way to act like an American is to support our armed forces. We have the greatest armed services in the world, and now more than ever, our military needs troops and support. America has seen many wars in her time. While not all citizens agree with these wars, they do honor and respect the men and women who put their lives on the line.

Yes, being an American includes being patriotic. Driving down any highway, we see bumper stickers, reminding us to support our troops or to honor the fallen. After September 11th, 2001, countless numbers of Americans flags flew proudly outside of homes and offices. Since the 1970s, yellow ribbons "'round the old oak tree" have shown our support for troops abroad, a tradition only in America.

Indeed, being born in the USA does not make one an American. A person's thoughts and actions make one an American. No matter what opinion we have on an issue, Americans have two choices -- to stand up or sit down. Either position is a privilege only in America. God Bless America!