2025 SECOND PLACE WINNER

Karl S.

“Stars, Stripes, and Stories”

When I think of stars, stripes and stories, it brings to mind so many thoughts about Morgan Hill. The stars I think of in Morgan Hill are our teachers, community leaders, and first responders. Our stripes, I think, are our community, each different, but all the same. When I think of our stories, I think of those that share a purpose or meaning.

The stars of Morgan Hill, I can name so many. One important to me is Mrs. Karen Crane. Mrs. Crane has been an important part of my life. She has played an important role in teaching me and so many others music and its purpose. Every year with the Patriotic Sing, I get to meet adults that come back to see her who were part of her program many years ago. I now get to help other kids in my community learn the same songs and their purpose and meaning. Mrs. Crane also shares her knowledge of Morgan Hill’s rich history such as stories of Isola Kennedy, stories of our community and the military branches. When you are a part of any event with Mrs. Crane, you can see how people love her, yell for her, and run up to hug her.

I also think of my many classroom teachers who spend so much time helping every student grow and attempting to always keep them on task. Another star I think of is my mom. My mom loves always being helpful. She helps her community and volunteers a lot. She’s a teacher and she works very hard at her job. Last, but not least, our first responders, because they have saved my life several times.

Our stripes, I see as our different communities. For example, our school community, our housing community and the entire Morgan Hill community all together. The stripes on a flag next to each other are just like streets where we have our houses and apartments. The streets where we live are our first introduction to the community. The last stripe on the flag, I think, is the Morgan Hill community. The flag represents freedom and I feel the entire community comes together to see Freedom Fest.

Our stories like these are important because we need them to learn. They teach us how to not do something when it is not the right thing, as well as shaping us into the people we are today. Some of our Morgan Hill Stars share stories of the past, present, and help guide the future. My stories consist of my life in Morgan Hill. History shared by my peers, my teachers, and Mrs. Crane.

Lastly, I share my stories. My stories of fainting on stage, and how scary fainting is. Stories of participating in the Patriotic Sing, Freedom Fest Essay Contests, Morgan Hill 4th or July Parade, watching the car show, and Fireworks. Stories of our communities coming together in one place to celebrate stars, stripes, and stories.