William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2015-11-01 / 11. szám

2015-1016 Scholarship Essay Awards

Students applying for grants through the William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation were asked to submit an essay discussing the topic: “If you could meet with the President of the United States, what would you discuss?" All essays were read and judged by members of the WPFA Scholarship Foundation Executive Committee, and the best essays were selected for special recognition. Many fine essays were submitted, reflecting the outstanding fraternal spirit of our young member scholars. Prizes in the form of additional cash grants were awarded to the top three essays among both new and renewal applicants. We proudly publish those six winning essays here.

First Prize - New Students - $500 Joseph G. Risi, Br. 28 Youngstown, OH

If I had the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, I would discuss with the President why he insists on helping the world first, rather than the country he is tasked to lead and defend. I would talk to him about poverty, ignorance, and racial boundaries and how the people who can be categorized as such often live a codependent life based on government aid and supplementary incomes. I would discuss with the President from my point of view being surrounded by these people, instead of a politically spoken point of view.

Second Prize - New Students - $300

Zachary S. Hanley, Br. 28 Youngstown, OH

If I was granted the honor of meeting the President of the United States, I would beseech him to improve the lives of our veterans by instituting a program to better serve veterans at all Veterans Administration clinics. Initially, this program would increase staff at said clinics by offering physicians, psychologists, physical therapists and other health care providers, deferred and reduced payments on student loans and low-interest loans after providing care at VA clinics in five-year increments. This program will offer these same benefits to university students in the medical fields.

Third Prize - New Students - $200

Samantha D. Jackson, Br. 189 Alliance, OH

If I met the President, I would discuss getting younger voters to the polls. The attitude that one vote doesn't make a difference is causing this generation to take a passive role in the future of our country. It is also important for teens and young adults to understand the issues up for debate and the history and platforms of the presidential candidates. These issues affect the entire country and only reflect a small part of the population. For democracy to work, every citizen needs to have an equal say.

First Prize - Renewal Students - $500 Kenneth M. Ujevich, Br. 89 Homestead, PA

If I could meet the President of the United States, I would ask why it is so hard for the government to be completely honest with the American people. All too often it seems like something is being covered up, and it comes off as unjust when a government that is supposedly "for the people" hides crucial information regarding the affairs of our country. Total honesty is not a card that is often played, especially within the political world, but I believe that needs to be changed if the American people are to trust in the government once again.

Second Prize - Renewal Students - $300

Otto E. Nagengast, Br. 352 Coraopolis, PA

I would discuss campaign finance reform with the President. The deregulation of campaign spending has created a system in which candidates who have the most money, but not necessarily the best policies, are elected. In this system, political influence has been taken from the people and given to a handful of wealthy individuals and groups. Politicians on both sides of the aisle hate that they often spend more time fundraising than they do legislating. Reforming campaign finance is a realistic policy goal that will restore the strength of our democracy.

Third Prize - Renewal Students - $200

Stephen E. DeCarlucci, Br. 296 Springdale, PA

If I were to meet President Barack Obama, I would like to know why a country as powerful and resourceful as the United States of America still has people living in poverty. We live in a country that has always sent help abroad despite looking in our own backyards. According to the 2012 census, 16 percent of the population lives in poverty, including almost 20 percent children. We as a nation need to provide training and assistance to those living at or below the poverty level. We need to strengthen our own so that the United States can stay strong.

William Penn Life ° November 2015 0 17