2026 THIRD PLACE WINNER
Sierra J.
Charter School of Morgan Hill
1789, the year George Washington swore to “faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States." This quote should and will be honored by whoever will read its history.
In George’s childhood, he was self-taught and self-reliant. As he matured, he started to love the land and the first public office which made him an officer in the army in 1753. Two years later he was chosen to be “commander in chief of the Virginia militia.” He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758 where they quickly encouraged the colonies to take charge of themselves. A few years later, in 1775, fighting with the British began. George became commander in chief of the entire continental army in the revolution.
March 1776: George Washington got the British out of Boston. He continued for a while by helping in Delaware and then routing the enemy in Trenton, and last in Princeton. He became very helpful in front lines, directing fire, rousing his soldiers' spirits, and more.
October 1781, the continental army was helped by the French by cornering the British commander. Not until 1787 did George decide to take charge over the constitutional convention in Philadelphia (where the constitution of the United States was adopted). Then go back to April 1789, when George Washington took the presidential oath of office.
With all the events that George Washington helped with in our country’s history, if he wasn't here, the United States of America wouldn't be here either. And if it took only one person to have a dream that made our country something special, then for people who dream today I say, make your dream happen, you might make a whole new history for you, your family, your friends, and for everyone else’s experience in the world. We should always honor this president throughout time and remember what he did to make our lives worth living.
2025 THIRD PLACE WINNER
Mikayla M.
Ocean Grove
“Servicemen of the Century”
When you reflect on the founding and history of our country, you can observe the many brave people who stood and fought for what was right, either with words or out on the battlefield. Some traits that they share are perseverance and bravery. During the Revolutionary War, everyday farmers became soldiers who fought and won battles. General George Washington had failed many times before, but he knew how to persevere and keep going.
Next, during the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln was President of the United States of America, he was not fighting with guns, like the men of the Union Army, he fought with his words.
Decades later, in 1917, the men of the United States would be fighting again. This time, they were fighting in Europe against Germany trying to expand its empire. Over two million men would be drafted to fight in Europe before World War 1 was over. Many of those men gave their lives to serve our country. About twenty years later, the second World War was in motion. The United States of America entered the war after the 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor. Just like in the first World War, millions of men were drafted into the military to serve our country and many lost their lives.
Today, there are over two million men and women in our military, and about 1.3 million of those people are in active duty. We should respect them for the work they are doing for our country. God Bless America!