2024 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Carly F.
3rd Grade, Paradise Valley Engineering Academy
There are lots of people who make this country great. Our Armed Forces fight for our country’s freedom. Firefighters put out fires and keep people safe. Doctors and veterinarians take care of people and animals and make sure they’re healthy. But, I’d really like to thank a very special group of people who also help make our country awesome – Police Officers!
My dad is a retired police officer. He got hurt doing his job keeping others safe. It takes a lot of courage to be a police officer. They stop bad guys from hurting other people. They’re always there for people who are in danger or injured. Police Officers keep kids safe by teaching them to follow laws and pay attention to their surroundings.
Morgan Hill even has a police dog named Basco! He uses his nose to sniff out drugs. Basco works with his dad, Sergeant Pires. Police Officers are always working, even on holidays. They are very dedicated to their job. They’re brave because they run toward danger when everyone’s running away from it.
Thank you, Police Officers, for keeping our country safe and making it a great place to be.
2023 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Noel S.
Grade 3, Mrs. Colton
Do you like fireworks and barbecues? When I think of these, I think of the Fourth of July. The Fourth of July is a special day for America. It was the day that America won its independence. In 1776, a declaration was signed for America to be free. Now people from all over the world come to America to be free! So just keep this in mind: The Fourth of July is the day that America won its freedom. I LOVE AMERICA!
2022 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Elizabeth Hair
“LET FREEDOM RING”
El Toro Health Science Academy
3rd Grade – Mrs. Niemann and Mrs. Williams
Can you imagine living in a place where there is no freedom? America is a place where we are free to make our own choices.
In America, we can travel where we want. We have a choice where we want to go.
We are free to choose what to wear each day. In one place, girls and women wear a black covering over their whole body.
In our country people can live anywhere. We are free to move where we want.
I hope that all people can be free to choose where and how to live. That’s what “Let Freedom Ring” means to me. How about you?
2021 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Kayden W.
“FIREFIGHTERS ARE HEROES”
Nordstrom Elementary School
2nd Grade - Ms. Maule
Firefighters are my heroes. Are they yours too? They save people from burning buildings. They are strong caring, alert, and brave.
They put out fires in both the wilderness and in cities. In cities, fires could be in apartments, houses, or offices. If they are in high buildings, firefighters may have to go up many flights of stairs. In the wilderness, they put out fires and rescue animals.
Firefighters help injured and sick people. They are the first to come to help when someone dials 911. They can help with medicine. They can rescue people who are sick or injured.
Firefighters use a hard helmet to keep their head safe and steel-toed rubber boots to keep their feet safe. Firefighters have a truck with hoses, ladders, pumps, gear, and water. They can ride in helicopters to see the fire below them. They can use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small to put it out.
Firefighters are brave and kind. This is why they are my heroes.
2020 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Abby Wilcox
Jackson Academy of Math and Music
3rd Grade - Ms. Schenkelberg
American women are kind, brave and confident. In history, there are a lot of examples of women who have made good decisions to help their community. It was hard to pick just one woman to write a thank you note to, but I finally decided on someone that is making the world a better place in 2020.
Dr. Sara Cody is the Santa Clara County Health Officer. She has had that job since 2013. Dr. Cody is the woman who is helping all of us stay healthy by asking everyone to shelter in place during the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Cody is smart and has the right experience to make a decision like that, but it still was not easy. She did what she knew was right and that takes courage.
This is my thank you note to Dr. Cody. My plan is to mail it to her so she knows how grateful I am that she is keeping my community healthy.
Dear Dr. Sara Cody,
My name is Abby Wilcox and I am a third grader at Jackson Academy of Math and Music in Morgan Hill, CA. I have been reading about you and I wanted to write you a letter.
Thank you for making a thoughtful decision to help us stay healthy. What did it feel like to make a decision like that? It had to be hard. If I were you, I would have felt proud of myself, but I would have also felt bad to cancel a lot of fun things for my friends and family. And, I would have felt nervous that people would not understand. It was important to me to write you this letter so that I could tell you that I think you made the best decision anyone could have made.
I am a Brownie in Troop 60530. As a Girl Scout, we are taught to be kind, caring and confident. Were you a girl scout? I kind-of think you were because you are all of those things. And, if you were not, you would have made a perfect one! Girl Scouts are taught to make a difference in their community. It is clear that you used your knowledge and experience to make a decision that was good for the County – just like I am taught to do as a Girl Scout.
I hope that someday, if I have to make a decision as tough as you did, that I can remember how strong and confident you were and be strong and confident myself!
Thank you for your kindness and courage.
Abby Wilcox