The Wellsville Lodge of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to thank all of the participants in their 2010 - 2,011 Americanism Essay Contest. The winners in this year's contest are as follows:

1st Place: Trey Piscitelli  5^th Grade
2nd Place: David Graham 5^th Grade
3rd Place:  Aidan Brown  5th Grade

We congratulate all of the students who participated in the essay contest this year.

Why I am proud to be an American.

There are many reasons why I am proud to be an American.  There have been many people who have fought for my freedom.  Our country offers us free education, freedom of speech, choosing our own occupation, the right to vote and much more.  Having these rights makes my life happier.

Getting a education is very important.  Doing well in school will improve my chances of getting into a great college.  I will be able to choose my own studies that interest me most.  I hope to do very well so I can later get a very good job.

Another great thing about being an American is that I have the freedom of speech.  I can say or print almost anything I want to a certain extent. I may have my own opinion and argue issues I may want to challenge. I may do this without being punished, or ridiculed by others.

Having choices in my life makes me feel good. I like being able to vote. I am glad I can choose my own occupation. I can walk out the door and make decisions on my own without being scared.

I am very proud of all the people who brought me freedom. These Americans fought hard for theirs and my country. I hope I am able to help keep my country free for many other Americans and fight for freedom as well. This is why I am so proud to be an American.  A land I know is free.
by Trey

Why I am Proud to be an American

Why I am proud to be an America, I feel there are many reasons, but one important reason is that we have many civil liberties or freedoms, like the right to bear arms.

I am proud that when I'm in America I have the freedom of speech, I can vote, and have a say in what happens. We are very fortunate to have these rights that other countries don't have. And I thank all the soldiers who helped us break away from Great Britain to make this possible.

I am proud that when I watch the news I see what other countries go through and think that I could be there but, because I'm in America I don't face that stuff. I can go outside and play without any harm, we have cars we can drive so we don't have to walk and, I can wake up in the morning knowing whatever happens I'm still going to be free.

Now you know why I'm proud to be an American. As long as I'm in America I may not always do whatever I want but at least I know that I'm free. God bless America!

by David

Why I am Proud to be an American

Being an American is quite an honor. I’m very rights others don’t. I am allowed to speak freely and publicly. I also can practice any religion I choose, and the rest of the rights listed in the Bill of Rights.

Other than that we also have laws listed in the Constitution to follow. I am proud of this because it makes our country less crime filled. If we didn’t have laws people who committed felonies would never be punished with being fined or imprisoned.

Another thing that makes America great is our freedom not only benefits us but helps others. Since we live in a free country we help out third-world countries filled with poverty.  For an example after Haiti’s earthquake we reached out and helped. People donated and gave blood.  Even our school helped make a quilt to send there. 

The things we have in America like a democracy and our nature makes this country amazing, but I am proud to just be apart of this nation. And as the famous song quotes “I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free."
by Aidan