Homeschooler Ashley Brewster of Westerville received an Honorable Mention prize and $250 in the "Being an American Essay Contest," which drew more than 31,000 entries from around the country.
Nancy Brewster, her teacher and mother, also won $250.
Ashley was one of only three Columbus area high school students that received prizes in the contest, which is sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit educational organization based near Washington, D.C.
The contest is supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and sponsored by the History Channel; State Farm Insurance; Jack Miller Family Foundation; McGuire Woods, LLP; and the Stuart Family Foundation, and began in the 2006-2007 school year.
The current school year was the first to include every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. To date, nearly 50,000 students have participated and more than $300,000 has been awarded to teachers and students.
To participate, students were asked to share their thoughts on American citizenship by answering the following question: “What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?”
In her winning essay, Brewster, who selected “determination” as the civic value topic of her essay and thought Patrick Henry most embodied the American character, wrote, “Determination is what shaped this great nation and preserved its greatness. As long as our American citizens continue to show this characteristic civic virtue, America will continue as the leader of the free world.”
The other two Columbus area students include Bexley resident David Baker and Rachel Webb of Worthington.
Ashley's essay, in full, is included as follows:
The sun smiled cheerfully down on us as we made our way through Washington, D.C. Having always been fascinated with history, I reveled in the sights of the great monuments I had heard so much about. As I craned my neck back and squinted in an almost futile attempt to see the top of the Washington Monument from its base, I wondered “What makes this country so great?”
It is intriguing to think that a nation as relatively young as America rose to become the leader of the free world in such a short amount of time. We often hear that America is great because of its citizens. That is quite a reputation Americans have earned and quite a responsibility to bear. The duty of being an American brings to mind a question. “What civic virtue is most important to being an American?” I believe that the strength of this nation rests on the back of a single, most important civic virtue–determination. Without determination America would be nothing.
This determination is first displayed in the Declaration of Independence, one of our nation's founding documents. This document played a crucial role in the founding of America and set the precedent for the character of the fledgling nation. American principals and beliefs were laid out in the Declaration, foreshadowing what was to come. The attitude of determination is best outlined in one specific sentence: "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
The founding fathers knew the course they were taking. The document they were signing could very well serve as their death warrant if this mad enterprise failed. The American colonies were ill-equipped to engage the most powerful empire in the world. The determination that the founding fathers expressed in the Declaration of Independence proved as true on the battle-field as it did in Independence Hall on that blistery day. The Declaration was the foundation, the starting point, of the determination that shaped America.
This American determination is also found in the various historical figures that have turned this nation into what it is today. Just one of these figures is Patrick Henry. Henry is most known for his fiery speech to the Virginia Legislature. The nation's leaders were considering war but were hesitant–and rightfully so.
But Henry knew that the time to act was now. His words personified the determination that freed America. "Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Henry's determination was present after the Revolutionary War. His staunch opinion that the federal government should not have too much power led to the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents in American history, ensuring that each individual American is endowed with personal freedoms. Patrick Henry embodies the determination that has made America great.
America's greatness is dependant upon her citizens. It is vital that we portray the same civic virtues as those who have gone before us. One of the ways I exemplify determination is by becoming involved in my nation's government.
I have been active in many political action committees and campaigns, and have tried to make a difference in my country even though I cannot yet vote. The determination to make a difference in our nation's government is a civic virtue that I enjoy putting into action.
Determination is an important civic virtue that plays a vital role in being an American. It was first exemplified in the Declaration of Independence then personified by founding father Patrick Henry. I can practice determination by volunteering my time in an effort to effectively influence our nation's government. Determination is what shaped this great nation and preserved its greatness. As long as our American citizens continue to show this characteristic civic virtue, America will continue as the leader of the free world.