Editor’s note: Elizabeth Neils, a Kiel High School student-athlete and top scholar who ranks in the top 5% of her class with a 4.0 GPA, received the annual Land of the Free Scholarship on May 13. The scholarship, worth $2,000 over two years, is sponsored by Kiel Area Military Appreciation Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. It recognizes the child or grandchild of a military veteran based on character, achievement, involvement and an essay. For more information, contact Kiel Area Military Appreciation Inc. at Contact-KAMAINC@ICLOUD.COM. Here is the essay Neils wrote.
Throughout my education, I have learned why I’m proud to be an American. Teachers have taught me the important history of our beautiful country and the important people we call heroes. Proud is an understatement.
The United States, thanks to the many heroes throughout history, is able to give a high quality of life to its citizens, and for that I am so grateful. I get to wake up every morning to a loving family, I have access to many opportunities and resources, and, ultimately, our country has freedom.
All of this wouldn’t be possible without the many sacrifices our military has made. Veterans and current military personnel have risked their lives for those they love so we could have the life we’ve dreamed of. The number of heroes around the country and even in my hometown is inspiring. They make me hopeful for our future.
I see heroes in our teachers, business owners, health care personnel, city employees, factory workers, customer service representatives and many more. The hard work these people put into their jobs makes our cities, states and country work more smoothly. Their jobs also inspire young children and get them excited to help make their own difference in people’s lives.
I’m grateful to say I’ve been impacted by these heroes and found my own heroes in my grandpa, a Vietnam veteran; my mom, a teacher; my dad, a registered nurse; my kindergarten teacher, who was also my confirmation sponsor; and so many more. With that said, I am proud to be part of the special community and country I live in.
On a more sentimental note, our country has gone through much adversity throughout the years: assassinations, school shootings, government shutdowns and inflated costs, to name a few. These events impact millions and cause great separation throughout our country. My empathetic self feels for those who are directly impacted. No one deserves to feel the pain they’ve endured.
Because of my firm belief in “everything happens for a reason,” I think these hardships our country goes through only make people stronger in the long run. People find their voice and fight back, they go on peaceful protests and bring awareness to important issues. We are only able to do this because of our rights. How lucky are we?
There is no better feeling than living in a country so unified and, with that in mind, the United States of America is a country I will forever call home. The freedom, opportunities and multitude of resources are some of the many reasons why I am proud to be an American. I give thanks to all the heroes that have helped run this country and make it so successful. From the veterans who earned their freedom to the political leaders who have maintained this freedom, everyone has done and will continue to do their part in leading this country to ultimate success, and I am proud to have a front-row seat in witnessing every moment.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Scholarship-winning Kiel essay honors veterans and community
Reporting by Elizabeth Neils, Special to the Sheboygan Press USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / Sheboygan Press
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