Essay on voting
By Stephanie Barrena
Bishop Keough High School

First place essay, High School

Imagine a country run by one person telling us what to do — a country where every citizen has to walk around with tape over his mouth and does not have the chance to speak out thoughts or opinions about how they would like to be treated. Voting is the power we have to remove the tape and take action to better our country.

Our country is like a big jigsaw puzzle. We are all pieces of the country. When we vote, we donate our piece to make up what is America. Anyone who has the opportunity to vote and does not put to practice this privilege can never donate his or her puzzle piece. Unfortunately, our country always has missing puzzle pieces.

Let’s take control of how we would like our country to be. Let’s stop making America a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.

I believe God made America a land filled with opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else. Consider the pilgrims who settled in this beautiful land in search of religious freedom. They fought until the end to prevent them from falling back under the rule of a man they did not agree with. Let’s protect what they fought for and prevent being under a power we do not agree with.

As young adults, we have a great urge to grow and show the world how mature we have become. Acknowledge the privilege of choosing your country’s next candidate. It is our enormous tribute from everyone’s part. Your vote could not only make a difference but be part of history.

I am a young adult who will have the privilege of voting this coming election. I want to contribute to my country. As a daughter of two parents who were born in different countries, one even being under the power of a dictator, I know the importance of voting. I can’t wait to plug in my puzzle piece.