Essay winners embody the American spirit
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Sherwood Middle School students (l to r) Meghan Wilson, Keith Moyer and Aditi Singh have all won State Rep. Karyn E. Polito's "What it means to be an American" essay contest. The three will read their essays aloud during a Veterans Day celebration at the school Nov. 9.

Shrewsbury - The three Sherwood Middle School winners of State Rep. Karyn E. Polito's "What it means to be an American" essay contest prove that all you need to be an American is a strong spirit and love for the country.

In their essays, Meghan Wilson, Aditi Singh and Keith Moyer all wrote about the importance of individual freedom and the government's ability to help people in need.

They talked about America as being more than just land, but rather a group of ideals that people have come together to live by.

Also, they wrote about how important it is that America accepts people of all races, ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders and abilities. This acceptance of diversity in American culture is one that each of the winners has strongly needed to get to where they are today.

Meghan Wilson and Aditi Singh have both lived in America for the bulk of their lives, however neither was born here and therefore neither is a U.S. citizen. Although they may not have the official title of "American," both girls say they feel 100 percent like this is their home.

"I've lived here for 9-1/2 years and I really think I know what it is to be an American," said Singh, who moved to the United States from India. "I still have the rights and freedoms that other people in the world don't have, and I hope to become a citizen someday."

Wilson moved to America from England almost a decade ago, and although she is proud of her English roots, she said they don't make her feel any less like an American.

"My mom and dad are bringing me up as an American, and we do everything like Americans," Wilson said. "And we vote for American leaders, not English ones."

Moyer has also relied on the acceptance of diversity throughout his life, but in a diff erent way than his co-essay winners.

Moyer is a member of Shrewsbury's Special Education program, and his winning essay highlights more than just his ideas of America.

Moyer worked on his essay with the assistance of his teachers over several weeks,

" and his not only finishing the essay but winning the contest is a true testament of how far he has come in the Special Education department, said Kathleen Magnan, his applied behavior analysis technician.

When asked what he thought it meant to be an American, Moyer read from the essay.

"Being an American is nice," he read. "We have peace. We help each other. We care. I am happy and proud to be an American."

The students will each read their essays to the audience during a special Veterans Day program at Sherwood Middle School Friday Nov. 9.