Law Day 2002 Art & Essay Contest Winning Entries
Here are the winning entries of the Law Day 2002 Lycoming Law Association Art and Essay Contest:
Rachel Emerick, McCall Middle School
Oh, The American Flag Stands For Freedom
The American flag stands for freedom.
From the Green Mountains of Vermont,
To the Sequoahs of California.
Every wave of the flag lets freedom roll, dance, and fly all through the U.S.A.
Though we can hot feel it, see it, or hear it,
freedom is always there surrounding us.
The flag , the flag, it rolls and waves.
In every gust of wind it swirls,
and in every beat of sun it brightens.
The American flag, oh, the American flag.
When you fly high in the gentle, blue, sky,
freedom is prancing all around you.
When I see the flag it’s not just a flag.
When I look at it freedom, glory, and pride are written all over it.
The flag, oh, the flag!
The American flag stands for freedom.
Lindi Crist, Lyter Elementary School
Symbol of America
When I think of America, I think of the Statue of Liberty. To me she stands up so tall, as if she is guarding our people. She carries a light so that people from all over the world can come to know and love America. She has a book that can remind us of what we have done in the past, what we do in the present, and what we will do in the future. To me America is a great and wonderful place to live, and I am happy that Miss Liberty is there to welcome people to our country.
Lauren Hicks, St. Joseph Elementary School
Symbol of America
When I think of America, I think of the Statue of Liberty. To me she stands up so tall, as if she is guarding our people. She carries a light so that people from all over the world can come to know and love America. She has a book that can remind us of what we have done in the past, what we do in the present, and what we will do in the future. To me America is a great and wonderful place to live, and I am happy that Miss Liberty is there to welcome people to our country.
Michael Pasnello, St. Joseph Elementary School
Changing the First Amendment
The First Amendment says in part “Congress shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech.” The First Amendment has gone unchanged since 1787. Recently a discussion has been raised to determine whether the First Amendment should be changed to protect the American flag. Although there are many strong arguments in favor of changing the First Amendment, I believe the Amendment should go unchanged.
The American flag is symbol of our freedoms, including the freedom of speech, and the burning of the flag is an example of that freedom. So the question is should the right of freedom of speech be limited to protect the symbol, or should the symbol be sacrificed to preserve the freedom of speech?
Those Americans who have died fighting for this country sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom and not just for the symbol of freedom. When you’re burning the flag, remember the soldiers who fought for your right to do so.
Alex Anderson, Curtin Middle School
The Desecration of the Spirit of the United States of America
The United States Code is the compilation of the Federal laws currently in force. The Code clearly states that there shall be “no disrespect shown to the flag of the United States of America” and "Whoever knowingly mutilates defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground or tramples on any flag of the Umited States shall be fined or imprisoned for not more than one year or both.”
The United States of America is a living body, therefore, its flag is considered a living spirit: The living spirit of the people of the United States. Therefore, violation of laws against the mutilation of the flag should be considered inhuman attempts to destroy the living spirit of this great country.
In my own opinion, people who knowingly desecrate the flag should be tried for treason and attempted murder of the spirit of the United States of America.
Ariel King, Jersey Shore High School
The American flag is a representative of the United States, its Constitution and the plethora of laws and freedoms of the land. The flag gives the American people a tangible view of liberty, justice, and security. When we look at the flag fluttering or hanging wherever it may be, when we look at the precious stars, the red and blue stripes, we are looking at the face of liberty herself. Those who wish to express their hate and dissatisfaction against the United States by desecrating our flag do no legal wrong and have the right to do such an action, no matter how outrageous it may be. Americans are permitted to express themselves in many forms. This expression is protected under the Constitution. When the very flag representing America is disgracefully defiled, it is then that the amazing glory of American freedom shines it’s brightest. Indeed, there is no need for a constitutional amendment to protect the flag from desecration; she protects herself valiantly by defending the many rights of all Americans. Freedom can be abused, battered, and mistreated; but it can never be destroyed.
Austin Mill, Montoursville High School
Cheyanne Reichelderfer, Ashkar Elementary School
Oh, The American Flag Stands For Freedom
The American flag stands for freedom.
From the Green Mountains of Vermont,
To the Sequoahs of California.
Every wave of the flag lets freedom roll, dance, and fly all through the U.S.A.
Though we can hot feel it, see it, or hear it,
freedom is always there surrounding us.
The flag , the flag, it rolls and waves.
In every gust of wind it swirls,
and in every beat of sun it brightens.
The American flag, oh, the American flag.
When you fly high in the gentle, blue, sky,
freedom is prancing all around you.
When I see the flag it’s not just a flag.
When I look at it freedom, glory, and pride are written all over it.
The flag, oh, the flag!
The American flag stands for freedom.
Terrin Crist, McCall Middle School
Rachel Rider, Central Elementary School
Conner Cosentine, Ashkar Elementary School
Ricky Mazzante, McCall Middle School
Heather DeFrancesco, McCall Middle School
The Flag
The flag is a symbol of freedom. The colors of the flag are red, white and blue. The fifty stars stand for fifty states. They tried to put in fifty stripes, but they could not. When we fought in wars, the flag was always there. The flag stands for freedom that you can speak as you want, and even draw like you want , and go to church where you want.
Adam Welch, Ashkar Elementary School
Adam Reinard, Ashkar Elementary School
