Cayla Haney’s essay wins
Published 7:24 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Pictured front, from left: eighth-grader Cayla Haney, first place; eighth-grader Myah Tatay, second place; honorable mentions Samantha Dhoore and Caitlin Cox; seventh-grader Haley Bumgarner, third; and Kim Flora, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Edwardsburg Gus Karacson VFW Post 2284; back: Karen Ziervogel, VFW Post Commander Bill Constant, Susi Pettit, Karen Fisette, Patty Stoffi, Vicki Gard and Carol Rieves.
Edwardsburg Middle School eighth-grader Cayla Haney, who won an oversize $75 check for first place in the Gus Karacson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2284 Patriot’s Pen essay contest, wants to be a behavioral psychologist.
Cayla, daughter of Carla and Jim, has taken part in Science Olympiad and Spelling Bee. The trombonist is wearing a T-shirt from Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where she was recognized as an outstanding camper.
She loves to read and is said to be “fantastic” at drawing. She took part in Youth Authors when she was younger and likes to write. Cayla has one older sister.
The theme was, “Are You Proud of Your Country?”
Ladies Auxiliary President Kim Flora congratulated winners, including eighth-grader Myah Tatay, second ($50), and seventh-grader Haley Bumgarner, third ($25), before they and their families were treated to homemade pizza and soda Monday evening.
“We are very proud of all of you this year. This is the most students that we have had participate,” Flora said. “We would also like to thank Mrs. (English teacher Leslie) Zech for encouraging her students to become involved with our patriotic endeavor.”
Commander Bill Constant presented awards. “It’s very interesting to me that this gets bigger every year. I love the participation and wish more were proud of their country,” he said.
A Personal Revolution
By CAYLA HANEY
Edwardsburg Middle School
I, as an American citizen, have not had a sizable personal connection to anyone directly associated with a significant event in American history that would make me proud.
Although I, also as an American citizen, have numerous reasons that make me exceedingly proud regardless of a personal connection with American history.
I am pleased that I live in a country that lets its citizens speak their mind, and do so in public. I am delighted that I reside in a nation that believes that I have the right to assemble without fear of the government or law enforcement.
I am thrilled that I dwell in a country that says all men and women are created equal, regardless of race, religion, physical features or opinion.
I am uplifted that my nation says all peoples have the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
My country defeated fascism, Nazism and communism. My country ends genocides and topples dictators. My country helps others in times of disasters.
I am proud that Americans have maintained the willingness to speak out against the status quo, whether or not the majority is willing to listen.
As Barack Obama stated, “We are not a collection of blue states or red states, whites, blacks, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans or Native Americans. We are and forever will be the United States of America.”
I am proud that I live in a country in which ordinary students can do extraordinary things and reach for their dreams no matter how outrageous they may be. Whether they are simple as sweeping the floor in a factory or as involved as a teacher.
Also, as a common citizen, I can easily overcome economic or social statuses by working hard, being active physically and publicly and making sure that I am not distorted or misrepresented while I proceed along the path I seek.
I am proud of my country because of my various freedoms and its people’s independence from other countries and other citizens. I am elated that we are a helping people, and we have a set of beliefs that are abided by. I am thankful for our nation’s Constitution and all that it includes: the Bill of Rights, the Amendments and the Articles.
I hope I have an impact on American history and become a source of pride for our nation.