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Voice of Democracy Winners - Harris
Laughrey (first place), Paige Rasmussen (second place),
Rachel Chandler, Laken Comer, Brianna Jones, (back) VFW
Post Commander Tom Nolen, Ladies Auxilary President
Lucille Cozart, Samantha Doster, Lesley Robertson,
MiRanda West, Hannah Scruton, Chase Mitchell, and VOD
co-chairs Daniel and Irene Trebilcock.
by Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
Listen to the winning speeches
• Harris Laughrey
(first place)
• Paige Rasmussen
(second place)
MCKENZIE (January 15) On this day in remembrance of
Martin Luther King, Jr., one of America's greatest
leaders and ideologues, a few McKenzie High School
students were proving that the future and dreams of
America are still alive and well.
It was the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of
Democracy dinner to honor the students who participated
in the script-writing contest. A tradition for more than
30 years at McKenzie Post 4939, the students wrote and
presented their scripts to VFW members, the Ladies
Auxiliary, school officials, and parents.
The national Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship
program is an audio-essay contest for high school
students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than
$3 million in scholarships. The first-place winner, who
competes with all the first-place VFW Department
winners, receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to
the recipient's American university, college or
vocational/technical school.
"I've been involved in this for a number of years," said
Thomas Nolen, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
4939, who added that one of the script writers could be
a state or national winner, either this year or in
future years.
Harris Laughrey, a MHS sophomore, son of Mike Laughrey
and Jill Holland, earned a $300 U.S. Savings Bond and
certificate for his first-place speech. Paige Rasmussen,
daughter of David and Debbie Rasmussen, won second and a
$200 U.S. Savings Bond and certificate, and Brittany
Martin, daughter of Tom and Laura Martin, won third and
a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. Laughrey and Rasmussen
presented their speeches for the audience during the
evening. Martin was absent.
The other winners included: seniors - Samantha Doster,
Chase Mitchell, MiRanda West, Rachel Chandler, Laken
Comer, Brianna Jones, and Kristen Hughes; juniors Lesley
Robertson and Hannah Scruton.
Daniel and Irene Trebilcock served as this year's
co-chairmen of the contest. Irene said the evening is
most appropriate to hold the VOD on the day to honor
Martin Luther King, one of the America's greatest
voices.
Daniel, a recruiter with the National Guard, said the
VOD first started in 1947 by the Association of
Broadcasters and was later taken over by the VFW. He
complimented the speechwriters, adding that the three
judges had great emotion for the first-place winner's
speech.
Judges heard recorded scripts and did not know the
identity of the speaker. Two Huntingdon teachers and a
Clarksburg teacher judged the contest, said Daniel.
MHS Principal Terry Howell praised the VFW and Ladies
Auxiliary for their continued support of the Voice of
Democracy contest. He termed the contest as one of the
"highlights of the year" with each year's scriptwriters
approaching their subject in a different angle.
"Freedom's Challenge"
By Harris Laughrey
First Place
"O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
How familiar and ordinary these words sound to us.
However, has it become too easy? Do we take for granted
that we will always be free to sing these words? When
Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star-Spangled Banner" in
1814, he saw first hand that freedom and bravery must go
hand in hand. This is freedom's challenge. In order to
preserve our freedom for future generations -
commitment, sacrifice and courage are required - from
all of us.
Over a period of ninety-nine days, the Founding Fathers
gave unselfishly of themselves in framing the
Constitution of the United States. They eventually
agreed on a plan of government that was radically
different from anything that had ever existed. This
government was not the master, but it was a servant of
the people. This new form of government was to be run by
the people - for the people, and made up of all ranks of
citizens.
In addition to the Constitution, Our Founding Fathers
added the greatest guarantee of human liberties the
world has ever known, The Bill of Rights. This is the
charter of the American way of life. It is the guardian
of the inalienable rights of our people, and it is what
makes our country the stronghold of free government.
History teaches us the challenges of commitment, courage
and sacrifice that each generation of Americans faced to
preserve the freedoms stated in our Bill of Rights. The
most recent attack on our great nation, 9/11, is a cruel
reminder that our freedom is not a luxury to be taken
for granted. 9/11 has shown this generation that there
are high stakes in freedom's challenge. Each day our
brave soldiers join the ranks of history's patriotic
Americans who felt that preserving our nation's freedom
is more important than preserving their lives.
What are we on the home front doing to meet freedom's
challenge? Today, there is a wave of apathy flooding our
nation in spite of the threats to our freedom. We have
the freedom to vote for whomever we choose to lead us.
However, instead of thoroughly researching the
candidates and voting for the ones who will uphold our
Constitution, how many times have we heard, "I don't
vote, how can my vote make any difference?"
This is a government run by the people. Yet how many
choose not to run for public office because, "It will
take too much time away from my family" or "I don't want
the headache." Let us be reminded of the months and
years that many of our soldiers spend away from their
families fighting to preserve our freedom. Freedom's
challenge is meant for all of us, not just a few! As
American citizens, we are free to take an active role in
all aspects of our government, and unless we step-up to
this challenge, we could be living on borrowed time.
As Thomas Jefferson said: "No society can make a really
permanent constitution - the earth belongs always to the
living generation." Therefore, we must never be so
self-satisfied with the works of those who have gone
before us that we become stagnant.
"O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
Our National Anthem leaves us with a question which can
only be answered by each generation of Americans. We are
the recipients of the freedom for which past generations
sacrificed. I challenge this generation to take our
place in America's proud history. Let each of us be
willing and able to do our part to remain the land of
the free and the home of the brave.
Freedom's Road
By Paige Rasmussen
Second Place
Pete just got a brand new red Corvette. There are no
rules on the road and he can drive it as fast as he
wants. He decides to take advantage of this rule free
opportunity. As he drives over a hill, a huge diesel
semi truck, also taking advantage of his no rule
freedom, is seen oncoming in his lane. However, it is
too late to swerve any other way or to slam on their
brakes, causing an annihilation of the two vehicles. A
person hearing this story might find it unbelievable and
somewhat ridiculous. However, this scenario relates to
freedom.
One might be confused how a Corvette driving too fast
and a diesel semi truck driving in the wrong lane can
relate to something as serious and important as freedom.
It does though. Everyone, as American citizens, has the
freedom to do what he or she desires. In spite of this,
an American citizen must follow rules, laws, and
guidelines while practicing his freedom. Americans are
given the opportunity to practice freedom because of the
men and women who have gone before and paved the way.
With freedom, one has many expectations and
responsibilities required of him. For freedom to
function properly there must be certain guidelines to
follow.
Before one is allowed to drive, he must pass a written
and a driving examination. These two tests require
knowledge of the 'rules of the road'. Unlike a driver's
test, freedom is a gift given to Americans. Freedom also
requires knowledge of the 'rules of the road'. Freedom
allows a person to do what he wants but in a way he, and
everyone else around him, remains safe. This does not
include driving at an extremely fast pace or driving in
the wrong lane. Guidelines, or laws, also provide order.
They prevent someone from being able to rob a bank or
from illegal drug abuse. Not only are those guidelines
there for safety, but they are there to uphold respect
and help citizens to continually remember how they
received the freedom they enjoy.
A person was not given the right to drive a car. He had
to earn the privilege. Unlike driving, freedom was given
to citizens by other people. It was a gift but not an
effortless gift. Breaking all ties from England,
creating a new government, winning a revolutionary war,
and establishing and settling land was not an easy task.
Amazingly, however, it was accomplished. Brave men and
women performed what could have been condemned as
treasonous acts in hopes of a better future. Millions of
brave soldiers throughout history have fought to gain
freedom, to uphold freedom, and to protect freedom.
Americans sometimes forget the pains, struggles, and
dangers others had to bare so one American can enjoy
freedom. By remembering where freedom came from, one is
more willing to maintain the guidelines and rules set
before him in freedom's sake.
It is American citizens' responsibility to keep the
freedom alive. It is everyone's responsibility to have
pride in his country. One must strive to do what he can
to take part in acts and services that will better this
country. By participating in something as simple as
voting, one will remember how he received that right and
have the opportunity to elect leaders who want to keep
the dream alive - the dream of freedom. A person must
also strive to keep peace in the land. A person must
abide by the laws of the land to keep this peace. Not
only does one need to want peace in this nation, but in
all nations across the world. By wanting peace, a person
must support those who fight for peace. There are troops
in foreign countries right now that many Americans do
not support. Part of being an American is having pride
and showing support to not only those who have gone
before, but to those who are preparing the way now.
Americans should live up to their standards established
for them.
Americans need to strive to always have the dream of
freedom in their lives and hearts. Because of freedom,
one has the opportunity to act, speak, think, worship,
and do as he wants. These freedoms, like having a
license, come with certain guidelines Americans must
follow. Freedom is a gift that was given to America over
two hundred years ago and is still being fought for
today. Freedom's challenge is to apply the gift of
freedom, the guidelines of freedom, and the expectations
of freedom to one's everyday life and strive to make
America better. Where much is given, much is required
and expected. Americans hold the responsibility to keep
the dream of freedom alive and to better the nation.
This is Freedom's challenge.
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