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Tennessee State Winner

Hannah Smith
Maryville, TN
Berean Christian High School
Private (Religious)
12th Grade

"Today class, I have decided that instead of teaching, I am going to let you ask Hannah any questions you can think of about her or her country." With this the teacher turned to me, and I became the slightly reticent instructor for the next 45 minutes of class as I was peppered with every imaginable question. This is just one of the many experiences I have faced as an American exchange student in Berlin, Germany. Many times I have been asked questions about what I believe concerning my government, my homeland, my school; in essence I am being faced with the question, "What does it mean to be an American?". This is the conclusion I have reached.

I have come to see that being an American means more than pledging the Allegiance or singing "Yankee Doodle." Being an American means that you as an individual have been given values and freedoms; you have the great privilege of living in a representative democracy. This means that you have the priceless opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Your heritage is one that has been given to you at a high price, bought with battle after battle, life after life, sacrifice after painstaking sacrifice, all to purchase your precious freedoms.

An American is someone who has been handed an enormous wealth. But being an American means more. As it has been said, "With great power comes great responsibility." As Americans, we are to use our freedoms to promote what is good to the best of our abilities. That means not only pursuing our dreams, but furthering liberty, and ensuring justice. It means protecting the freedoms we have been given so as to pass them down to the next generation, and working to see that America continues to stand strong as a force for good that protects against oppression.

But also, as Americans, we must realize that we are being watched. I never realized just how true this was until I came to Germany. The entire world is watching the American way of life. When you step out of the country, or even when a foreigner comes to visit, you will be seen as a direct representation of freedom and the American dream. This is another great responsibility. Unfortunately, many perceive Americans to be arrogant and uncaring to the world around them. The challenge for us is to help reverse this mentality, to keep an open mind to the beliefs of others and to be able to show an interest in their point of view.

Finally, being an American means we have the ability and task of helping advance the quality of life around the world. We can make an impact, be the voice for those who have not been given one. Whether this means starting neighborhood food drives or speaking to the Senate about foreign affairs, we have an opportunity to make a difference in this world.

If we can accomplish these challenges that have been set before us, then I believe that we will truly be living out for the world what it means to be an American. And at the end of the day, we can rightly stand and say with those who have gone before us, "I am proud to be an American."