What makes America Great?

Since 1947 the Voice of Democracy has been the VFW's premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme was what makes America great.

Lexis Goffena, a student at RHS was this year's VFW Post 4925 1st place winner. Her essay advanced to compete against 264 other students from District 3. Lexis again came in 1st and advanced to the State level where she came in 3rd. Lexis received 2 Plaques, 2 VOD pins, 2 certificates and 2 checks totaling $750.00. Well done Lexis! Congratulations!

This is her winning essay "What makes America Great."

Ever since I was a child, I have always been told that America is great. At first I didn't understand why, I thought that every country was just like ours, and that everyone had the same experiences as I did when they were growing up. I thought that America was great because I could play with my brother on the ranch and run around causing trouble. As I grew up I realized that America was great for many other reasons than just playing and causing trouble as a child. America is great because I can be myself. I don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing about the government, which isn't always true for other countries. In America we don't have to serve in the military. We can serve our country in that aspect, if we choose. Women can join the military as well, which is also a great thing. In America we can dress how we want, and women don't have to cover up.

The best part of America is unity. Every day in the public school system we say the Pledge of Allegiance. We are proud to be American. We play the National Anthem before every sporting event and special occasion. Americans have different views on many things, but during the National Anthem we stand together and place our right hands above our hearts. We stand together in times of need and this is what makes America so great. Americans can put aside their differences to be proud of this country. Americans respect that not everyone has the same view as them, whether politically or not. The United States is a perfect name for this country, because we are all united, against whatever problems we may face.

The next thing that I love about America is that we don't have gender specific roles. Women can do nearly everything that men do. Women don't have to stay home and take care of their children like in some countries. Women can serve in the military, work construction, and other physically demanding jobs, if they choose to. Men can be stay at home dads, or work as a receptionist and be ridiculed or outcast because of it.

The Constitution plays a key role in the freedoms we have as Americans. Freedom of speech is a major aspect of what makes America great. We Americans can express ourselves however we choose. Freedom of speech allows Americans to be individualistic, and have their own opinions. Freedom of speech is a personal right, and is treated as such in America. The second amendment also allows Americans to be individuals. The right to bear arms is controversial, but Americans are allowed to carry arms, and use them if we need to.

My brother and I grew up on a ranch, so we were always out causing trouble. We had the freedom to play and be kids, which is another freedom that makes our country so amazing. We had the ability to play on the land that was owned by our parents. Owing land is important to the United States as well. With all these freedoms, it is hard to say that America is anything but great. Most countries don't have the ability to pursue many of these endeavors, so America stands out in this aspect. Anyone can do anything they dream of here, and this is why many people want to come here. In America you can make your dreams come true, and that is truly great.