US Flag Inspires Saint Gilbert Junior High Student Essays

Each year more than 132,000 junior high students nationwide compete in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. Saint Gilbert Catholic School in Grayslake has annually participated in this contest, thanks to the efforts of SGS Junior High English teacher, Mrs. Dolan.

The VFW’s intent in sponsoring the essay contest is to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme. For, 2018-19 theme the theme they chose was Why I Honor the American Flag. The goal is to have the students not simply write about American history but to intertwine their own life-experiences in modern American society, based upon the patriotic theme.

At Saint Gilbert, Mrs. Dolan had all her 7th & 8th graders write these essays as part of their English assignment. She explained that “I want the youth of today to understand the sacrifices others have made for their freedom. I appreciate and respect the patriotic spirit of America and want to instill those values in my students. The VFW essay contest gives students the chance to honor the efforts and values of the brave men and women who helped make our nation what it is today.”

Saint Gilbert School has five winning essays at the local level this year. The winning students are Anna N., Brigid B., Tommy M., Jeana R., and Anna J.

For each student, the essay had personal meaning. Brigid B.’s essay was inspired by the American flag that is in their home. “I chose to write about my personal experience with the American flag, especially the flag that hangs on our wall from my Uncle in the Army. It was flown by our troops in Afghanistan in our family name.” That example of sacrifice and dedication helped her “develop my sense of pride in what the American flag stands for.”

Anna N sees the American flag as the embodiment of “everyone who changed America for the good or fought for this country,” which is why it “inspires Americans.” On a personal level, Anna was thankful for the contest as it reminded her to be grateful “to all the people in American history that have endured difficulties and hardships to make the country the amazing one it is today.”

Jeana’s essay focused on why she’s proud to be an American. She states in her essay that “in America, freedom is taken for granted, and she is thankful to

live in the United States where she has the freedoms that other countries dream about.”

Tommy M. thought that the contest gave him “the opportunity to learn more about the history and the contributions my family made to military service… and the important sacrifice military members make every day.”

The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level.

Interested in learning more? Come visit us on the web at www.stgilbertschool.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Saint-Gilbert-Catholic-School-126504574087725/. Arrange a tour by calling 847-223-8600 or by emailing school.office@saintgilbertschool.org