Patriot's Pen 2024 - 2025
"My Voice in America's Democracy?”
By
Grace Mae Schneider
First Place Winner from Perry Middle School
"My Voice in America's Democracy?"
My voice in America, do we really have one? A lot of young adults, teenagers, and children tend to think that we have no voice. The thing is: we do have a voice. Our voices might not be screaming at the top of our lungs like politicians, but it’s still there. Our voices can never be silenced. We have as much power as thousands of other citizens. As young adults and children our voices can help persuade others to do the right thing. If we can persuade people to do the right thing it could make our great country even greater.
People all throughout history have been fighting for their voice. They might not have started out screaming, but it got louder and louder. Black people have been using their voice for bigger and better things. They started out whispering signal songs of hope as they were getting shipped to different plantations. They’ve gotten so far, using their voices in the underground railroad; to protesting for civil rights, and even having our first black President and Vice President. And now, with their voice, they are unstoppable, accomplishing so much by using their voices to never give up.
You might think that those are the only people who have used their voice when they felt like they had none, well you’re wrong. Our Founding Fathers and colonists had to use a voice that they never thought they had against the King. They found it unreasonable getting taxed for tea among other things, so they started the American Revolution. They dumped tea, wrote to the King, trying to avoid starting a war. Eventually realizing they had no other choice than to declare war against England. The other countries laughed at America. They didn’t think we could pull through, that we could last long as a country. Now, America is the greatest country in the world.
So, you see, we aren’t that different. If there’s something we see that we think is wrong, we need to speak out against it, and fight against it to make things better. Because you can do anything you put your mind to. You might not be screaming at first, but you won’t be silenced. So don’t stop using your voice, keep screaming, and never stop. People who use their voice become great people, known for good. So be that person, and don’t let anyone silence you.
Past Patriots Pen Winners
2024-2025 Grace Mae Schneider Perry Middle School "My Voice in America's Democracy?"
2023-2024 Grace Mae Schneider Perry Middle School "How are you inspired by America?"
2022-2023 Bristol M Thomas Fowlerville Junior High School "My Pledge to Our Veterans"
2021-2022 Bristol M Thomas Fowlerville Junior High School "How Can I Be a Good American"
2021-2022 Jackson Harlan Williamston Middle School "How Can I Be a Good American"
2020-2021 Elsa G. Rosenthal Fowlerville Junior High School "What is Patriotism to Me"
2019-2020 Brennan M Wyrembelski Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School "What Makes America Great"
2018-2019 Josiah J. Schafer Fowlerville Junior High School "Why I Honor the American Flag"
