By Bonnie Briscoe, DAR member
SAFFORD – This fall, the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Gila Valley Chapter offered scholarships, at four different values ($600, $500, $400 and $300) to local high school students dual enrolled at Eastern Arizona College. These students needed to be currently taking general education classes without financial assistance from the school district.
In order to apply for the scholarships, each student had to submit a patriotic essay based on the required topic: How does the U.S. Constitution protect my personal freedoms? The reason for choosing an essay is to give the students an opportunity to express their own thoughts, regardless of how others feel.
Of the 20 essays submitted at the end of August, the judges chose the top winners, all from Thatcher High School. They were Jay Scorse, Savanna Kartchner, Mattilynn Gallett and Bentley Summers.
During the DAR Constitution Week program in September each of the winners were recognized and certificates distributed to them.
Below are highlights from the four essays, in their own words, regarding how their personal freedoms are protected by our Constitution.
JAY SCORSE
SCHOOL: Thatcher High School – Junior
As a young man living in America, the Constitution matters because it keeps the government from having too much power while ensuring that individual rights remain strong.
The most obvious way the Constitution affects my life is through the First Amendment. I am allowed to worship God. This is a big deal to me because my faith is a huge part of my identity. It also allows me to assemble at church or other areas to support ideas and beliefs with others, and it allows me free speech to share my opinions, even if they’re unpopular or don’t match what the rest of the world is saying. I am allowed to say what I believe or post it online and to do so without fear of government retaliation.
The Constitution also affects my life through separating power not just the federal government but also states, counties and cities. This allows people at a local level to make decisions based on the needs of a particular area. This keeps power within communities and states that are close to people rather than letting all the decisions go to politicians in Washington, D.C.
As a high school student, I may not fully grasp every detail of constitutional law, but to me the Constitution represents freedom, responsibility and a promise that America will remain a place where individual rights are strong. It’s what makes me proud to say I am an American, and it inspires me to live up to the freedom and responsibility it protects.
SAVANNA KARTCHNER
SCHOOL: Thatcher High School – Senior
As the founders of our government were laying the groundwork for the system we use today, they were inspired by the idea that government is subject to the people and must protect their rights. But if the people feel that the government does not reflect their interests, they have the power to scrap it and start over. The Constitution makes sure that we control our government and not the other way around by giving us the right to vote, the right to petition and support for civic education so that American citizens truly understand how to use those rights.
However, these rights mean nothing if American citizens are not educated in how to use them for their benefit. Fortunately, many schools have mandated that certain civics classes must be taken for high schoolers to graduate. As high school is a very important and particularly impressionable time for learning and growth, teaching civic education at such an age allows teenagers to choose how they will take part in their government as they grow up. This vital education turns individual rights, written on really old paper, into a living reality, as students learn how they can really make a difference.
MATTILYNN GALLETT
SCHOOL: Thatcher High School – Junior
To me, the U.S. Constitution protects my personal freedoms by safeguarding my rights to speak freely, be protected from unfair treatment and help provide equality. There are many rights that we as citizens might slightly take for granted. The First Amendment essentially defends all the freedoms that allow individuality, allowing persons to express themselves in multiple aspects. The freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly aren’t just used politically but more simply, to a teenager like me, this right applies sometimes to me by just plainly posting online or even choosing activities I might like to do.
Not only does the Constitution provide rights, it guarantees fair treatment and respect under the law. Jokingly saying, “I plead the fifth”, is a very valid statement because it refers to the Fifth Amendment and its protection for oneself. Protection against self-incrimination, unreasonable search and seizures, and rights to a lawyer and trial are all of needed importance. Being young, this might not currently have a big presence in my life but there’s great comfort in knowing that I am safe and respected. Freedom isn’t just a concept, it’s a part of our lives and it’s the Constitution that protects it.
BENTLEY SUMMERS
SCHOOL: Thatcher High School – Senior
The Bill of Rights was written to protect the basic freedoms of Americans. Often people post their opinions online, practice certain religions, or attend a political campaign without thinking twice. However, the truth is, without the U.S. Constitution those seemingly simple tasks would not be possible.
In addition to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution divided the United States Government into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. These branches were set up to divide power and provide checks and balances so the government would not get too powerful. If these checks and balances and separation of powers were not in place, it would be easier for one branch of government to become dominant and take away our rights expressed in the Bill of Rights.
When the United States first gained independence, there were many restrictions on who could vote, based on race, gender and other factors. The 15th Amendment gave any citizen the right to vote regardless of their race. The 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote. Without the Constitution there would be no guarantee of personal rights and freedoms. Our personal freedoms should be celebrated and never taken for granted.
