Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc.
Each year, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) sponsors an essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country's youth. The annual FRA Americanism/Patriotism Essay Competition is open to all students grades 7 through 12, including those who are homeschooled. Students may submit an essay of 350 words through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December deadline, and local winners are passed further in the competition to be judged at a regional level. Regional winners then compete for national placement and prizes. This year's essay contest is well underway, and local winners have just finished competing in regionals! Of those submitted to regionals this year, local homeschool student Anna Kathryn Dollar has won 1st Place for the grade 9 category! Her essay will now move forward in the competition to be judged at the national level. Dollar, known by most as Anna or Anna Kate, wrote the essay in November, following the prompt, Why I'm proud to be an American. Her success in the contest comes from her love of and experience in reading and writing. “My style for this essay wasn't very exact or specific,” says Anna, “I just pulled from all of my usual writing methods, which I am sure have been influenced by my favorite writers which include Shakespeare, Andrew Peterson and J.R.R. Tolkien. I enjoy writing in my spare time, and at the moment I am working on a book which I hope to eventually publish. It is to be the first in a series.” “I was very excited when I learned that I had won,” she stated, “They hadn't contacted us for several months after I sent my essay in, so I was also surprised.” Anna's mother, Michelle, and father, Dusty, had a front-row seat in the development of the winning essay. “Anna Kate worked and reworked her essay over several weeks,” said Michelle, “It was short, only 350 words, so she had to pack a lot of punch into a few words. I know she put a lot of thought into expressing her American pride with words, which is not an easy task. The prompt really compelled the students to reflect on their freedoms and rights in America. We are studying the American Revolution this year in History, and Anna Kate has been reading quite a bit of historical documents and books about the founding of our country which I am sure helped to shape her ideas.” “Dusty and I were so proud when we heard that she won regionals. We spread the news to all our family and friends! There will be an awards ceremony to present the students with certificates and reward money, although the date hasn't been set yet.” The Dollar household is highly supportive of literary endeavors. All three of their children are homeschooled and currently have on-going writing projects, and regularly get excited about their stories, poems and essays, finding much encouragement in their parents. “I am very thankful to God that I have the freedom and opportunity to be their teacher,” says Michelle, who believes that reading and writing are skills that go hand-in-hand. “I would encourage young writers to read, read, read great authors, and practice writing back what they read. This will help immensely to expand their vocabulary and develop their own style of writing.” Writing fame is in no short supply in the Dollar family even in this competition, as Anna's sister Allie won third place in the Grade 7 category. The Jefferson County Homeschool Association additionally had several students preform at the local level in Tallahassee and move forward for a chance to compete at regionals. Special congratulations for homeschool students Gwenie Mediate, who won 1st place for Grade 11, Gigi Mediate, who won 2nd place in Grade 9, Vera Lynn Peters, who won 2nd place in Grade 8 and “Tre” Jerry A. Scott, III, who won 3rd place in Grade 8. While they did not move on to Nationals, their effort and writing skills are to be recognized! The next step for Anna Dollar's essay will be to be judged at the National competition, date to be announced. Anna is not only a talented writer, but she also keeps busy with a wide series of avocations that includes, but is not limited to playing sports, doing ballet, sewing and playing a variety of instruments including piano, flute, guitar and ukulele. “I love all kinds of art, but especially painting,” adds Dollar, continuing on to also mention her enjoyment in acting. “I am currently participating in J-CHAI's performance of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Most of all, I enjoy spending time doing anything with my friends and family.” Although her studies and extra curricular endeavors keeps her busy, Anna currently serves as the pianist for her church and enjoys life with her two reportedly awesome sisters at their house, which she describes to be a “farm in the middle of the woods.” This farm is home to 18 goats, chickens, a horse, a donkey, cows, two dogs, three cats, a fish, a parakeet and a duck. To those who missed the deadline, or who did not place in the competition, you can always try again next year! For more information, visit the FRA website at . Why I Am Proud to be an American Written By: Anna Kate Dollar Abraham Lincoln once said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.” America is my home, and I am certainly one of those who is proud to live in America. Why? Foremost, I am proud because of our freedoms. I’m proud because every morning when I wake, I can do what I like, and I can say what I like. I could have written whatever I pleased on this essay paper. What I say or do might not be the best, but it’s my choice, and I’m proud because I can make that choice. I am extremely proud because America is a country where children are not despised and maltreated, and even the youngest of us share the same freedoms as the most ancient. I am proud because of the hope we share, and the message we are. I’m proud because our country has accomplished great things, and we have blessed other countries with our freedom. America is an example to others. When they see how America has succeeded at something that seemed impossible, they gain hope. I am proud because of this. I am proud because we try to be the peace keepers of the world, and many times, we succeed. My freedom of religion is a great treasure to me. I am the pianist for our church, and am proud every Sunday, because I can praise God without hindrance. I’m proud because of the history of our churches and the history of our country. I’m proud because of our founding fathers; their wisdom and perseverance were certainly things to take pride in. I am proud because of our freedom, and all the things I often take for granted, like our industrialization, our advanced medical science, and our care for the elderly and poor. This essay has helped me to realize my pride in America, and make it more real to me. My pride has motivated me, and I hope it will do so for you too. Thank You.
You must be logged in to post a comment.