Independence Day Writing Challenge 2022

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace hold an essay writing contest for high schoolers in the local school districts. Each year a different prompt has been used for the contest. Below are the 2022 winning submissions. Winners recieve a prize provided by Friends of Hopwell Frunace and read their essasy at the annual Independnce Day commeration ceremony at the park.

What does the Declaration of Independence mean to you?

1st Place – Celia Kerr
Owen J. Roberts High School

To most, the Declaration of Independence is a symbol of freedom, of liberty, of our countryas a whole, but in its status as a symbol, I feel that many have neglected to remember what it is really about. While I do appreciate its symbolism, it is the full body and content of the document that compels me to admire and remember it.

The Declaration of Independence is not a negotiation, but a statement. The colonists told the king that they were no longer a part of Great Britain. Not only did they make this daring statement, but a large section of the document is a list of grievances against the king. My history teacher once called the Declaration “America’s break-up letter,” but I think it slightly outweighs that title. Imagine breaking up with a significant other and then sending them a list of every single reason why just to justify yourself. Now that is bold.

It is this boldness that I personally hold in such high esteem. From the very beginning, thefounders of our country refused to be oppressed, or be given any less than they deserved. They had the courage and resolve to attack the leader of the most powerful empire in the world, calling his actions “scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.” Yes, they called the King of England uncivilized as he was currently sending his heavily armed military straight to their doorsteps. Though possibly seeming unnecessarily dramatic and provocative, the founding fathers at this time were simply unleashing their fiery passion to do what they believed was right, all in the name of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Ultimately, the United States was liberated from Britain (in case you didn’t know), but it isno secret that we still have quite a long way to go in providing all people with an equal chance at the pursuit of happiness. Every day, people are denied rights on the basis of who they love or how they identify themselves. People face microaggressions in the workplace simply because of the color of their skin or how they speak. People are hurt and killed for reasons they can’t control and should never be made to be ashamed of.

When put that way, the world seems pretty bleak, but then I remember the passionatewords that marked the beginning of our sovereign nation. At our very core, we are still the country that freed ourselves and sent Britain a list of grievances rather than a list of requests;the country that reduced a king to a barbarian; the country that will stop at nothing to enact change for the good of its people. To me, the Declaration is proof that we as a country will always have the capacity to oppose and overcome oppression so long as the best of us continue fighting with the bold and unyielding vigor that this country was founded upon.

2nd Place Abigail Smith
Owen J. Roberts High School

The fifty, bespangled stars and the thirteen, colonial stripes blow freely in the wind of The United States of America. The miniature flags fill the streets of patriotic parades, the hands of children with bright eyes to match their futures, and the hearts of all men and women who have served their country. Each Fourth of July is a magical day with endless gratification: the delectable smells of barbeques, the gorgeous bursts of color that fill the sky, and a feeling of appreciation. It is on this day that we celebrate the birth of our country and recognize the endless privilege we have to live in America. On July 4th, 1776, the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. They were tired of being taxed without established representation, and they wanted to bleed freedom: the freedom to live how they wanted, be who they were, and govern themselves to the fullest extent. The risk that the founding fathers took, allows the individuals of America to be who they are. A British Monarchy leaves no place for Democracy, but when people are given the right to vote, they are given an equal opportunity and voice. I am so honored to live in a country where this is possible and where people can feel safe, secure, and free. The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of patriotism, freedom, dedication, and honor.

Of course, the words that inhabit my heart the most are, “All men are created equal.” Although these words did not include everyone in 1776, they include everyone today. It does not matter whether an individual is black or white, male or female, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. Even when the rights of certain marginalized groups are challenged, the freedom of speech and expression allows people to voice their opinions and stand up for what they believe in. This might not have been possible without the courage of Thomas Jefferson, the intelligence of Benjamin Franklin, or the diligence of John Adams. The Declaration of Independence led people to live a life of freedom, and people take this for granted.

Next time, on the Fourth of July, take a moment and step back from the endless macaroni salad or the children splashing in the pool. Instead, reflect on the sacrifices of millions who allowed The United States of America to become the country it is today. Remember the vast amount of hurdles that past generations had to make in order for us to live independently from British rule.

Imagine going out on a limb and sacrificing everything just to have a voice. The founding fathers put everything on the line to stand up for what was right. They experienced salutary neglectfrom their mother country, and they decided to do what was best, despite the challenges. I am so glad to have the freedom to be myself, and I am so honored to be an American.

3rd Place - Danica Leister
Daniel Boone High School

The Declaration of Independence means a lot to many people, but I find it particularly important to me as a woman. Ironically the word woman is never mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, but its statements were able to give women solid support in their efforts to gain the same rights as men. The statements in the declaration that gave women the right to pursue equal rights can be summarized as the right given to the people to alter or abolish a destructive and harmful government that causes suffering to its people. For far too many years women were perceived as less than men and not deserving of the rights and laws granted to men in the United States. Women have had their voices silenced and their thoughts and opinions unheard and unrepresented. Finally after suffering for so long a women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls on July 19-20th, 1848.

During the women’s rights convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton spoke her draft of the Declaration of Sentiments. This Declaration follows the text and composition of the Declaration of Independence, but includes changes to the document to demonstrate the women’s efforttoward equality and dedication to be taken seriously. Small changes to the document can beseen in the Declaration of Sentiments such as, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and women are created equal;” This line in Elizabeth’s speech show how the Declaration of Independence inspired the women of the 1840s and 1850s to seek equality and to be heard.The most important part of Elizabeth Candy Stanton’s speech was the list of grievances. In theoriginal Declaration of Independence, a list of grievances was created by all in attendance at thedrafting of this document written by Thomas Jefferson. This list of grievances demonstrated to the king of England that the Colonies had no tolerance for injustice and abuse given by, in their words, a tyrannical government. The Declaration of Sentiments’ list of grievances demonstrates how women were treated unfairly and how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence wereable to influence the action of the women’s rights movement. Looking back on what women had to face in the past, I find it hard to imagine my life in the situations and societal expectations that were set upon these women. In Elizabeth’s grievances, she shared many injustices and demoralizing experiences she and other women have faced. One grievance that would particularly affect me is the grievance, “He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thorough education - all colleges being closed against her.” Most of my life is dedicated to my school work and preparing for college and if I were denied access to higher education my future goals and dreams would be crushed. The Declaration of Independence allowed women to draft their declaration and be able to use the original document as a way to prove why they should have the right to vote and their voices be heard. My life might be entirely different if the Declaration of Independence was never created, and I am forever grateful to the men and women in the past that were able to fight for the rights that I have today.