(Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul) Essay winners include (l to r) Emmalie Ellis, Michael Sheffield and Ali9viyah Hayes. Bullard Elementary students participated in writing an essay.

The theme of the essay was “What It Means To You To Be An American.” The overall winners in each grade included Aliviyah Hayes in fourth grade, Emmalie Ellis in third grade and Michael Sheffield in second grade.

The first place fourthgrader, Hayes, wrote (as written):

“To be an amarican to me means for one I am free and I can live were ever I want to. I can even grow up to be what ever I want to be.

I also have the right to vote when I get older because of the Constitution. We have the choice to choose members of our government for the purpose of protecting all of us.

Being an american for me is wonderful because we have freedom of speech so I can always have my own

Class winners for the essay, “What I Means To You To Br An American,” are pictured at r - ight (see article below photos for identification. opinion. Also I can choose to serve the Lord Jesus instedd of religions. In other countries they control this freedom and will try to hurt you if they know what you believe in so this country is great because it is founded on Christian faith.

I can see how America is the place to be because for hundreds of years the united state has attracted immigrant and illegal alens from a vast group of countries to live free and have opportunity, so we have many cultures to embrac and learn.

To sum it up to be in America to me is living in the land of the free home of the brave and justice for all.”

Ellis, who was the thirdgrade winner wrote (as written):

“The Constitution was written over two hundred years ago. And people still follow it today!

(Banner Staff Photos by Don Treul) The Constituion means a lot to me; because now we have freedome of our religion. We have freedome to vote. And we have freedome of speach. I use speach a lot, but I have to be carfull of what I say.

The Constitution is being changed. Those are called amendments.

The one thing I like to do is worshipe God. I sing to worshipe God.

The Constition means so much to me, and I hope you are the same way.”

The second-grade winner, Sheffield, wrote (as written):

“I’m proud to be an American. It’s a free contry. We have food. We have a President not a king. Good schools feel safe. we have freedom of spech. Americas big. Soldiers Fight for our freedom. Americas Beutiful. America has lots of beutiful places to go. And there not just one person that mak all the desisoin. There are not many Roberys. I feel safe Because there are not pegal standing in the street with guns!”

Fourth-grade class winners included Brenna Ragsdale, Ethan Medley, Maiah Thomas, Andrew Brooks, Landry Walpole, Jansen Mattingley and Hayes. Third-grade class winners included Bailey Johnson, Reece Ricketts, Caleigh Hiltz, Katie Goodrich, Chloe Duvak, Bailey Richardson, Lindey Thomas and Ellis. Second-grade class winners included Shelbee Walker, Harrison Meador, Jesse Newman, Lane Proctor, Haley McCutcheon, Cami Younger and Sheffield.