The following essay on Americanism by Emma Rudd, a fifth grader at Calvary Christian Academy in Silver City, New Mexico, won the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18's contest, was sent on to the state contest and ended up in first place in Class II of the Western Division American Legion Auxiliary contest.

The Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18 and its Auxiliary chose to present Emma with a certificate of appreciation at the annual banquet recognizing Boys' State and Girls' State participants. It took place Thursday evening, Oct. 19, 2017.

Americanism Essay Contest

How does learning about government and our America help you become a future guardian of the liberties of our country?

By Emma Rudd

I believe learning about our government and our America can help me become a future guardian of the liberties of our country in many ways. Learning and understanding how our government has grown and transformed our America, teaches me to become a productive, active citizen that is confident in my abilities to be a strong advocate for the rights and liberties that our founding fathers attended to preserve and defend.

Understanding our government and our America also teaches me to become an informed citizen that is well educated on the issues our country is facing. It also teaches me how previous experiences helped shape our current country and leadership. This provides me with the foundation needed to make informed choices regarding voting and political choices. Making informed political choices assists in upholding the Constitution and our rights and liberties under this one republic.

I passionately feel it is my civil responsibility to be an active participant in our government. Educating myself about American democracy helps me to become an active participant in my government; therefore, strengthening my investment in my country. 

Being educated about our government and our America ensures that I am a well informed citizen that can actively participate in my community and my county. It also helps me to understand the political processes and helps to ??? moral and civic virtues that benefit myself and others. Education about our government and our America gives me an enormous advantage in becoming a future leader and strong guardian of the liberties like the freedom of religion and the right to bear arms, in this wonderful country I call home.