Chris Morse '11 is Essay Contest Winner

In a letter to Lyn Lord announcing Chris’ accomplishment, Victoria Hughes, President of the Bill of Rights Institute states, “This program, like the Being an American Essay Contest itself, is also meant to celebrate what unites us as Americans. For this reason, we have invited a wide range of civic and political leaders to meet with your student, including Vice President Biden and members of Congress. Many of these figures, will join us at some point during the Awards Program to celebrate your student’s contributions to our national conversation about what it means to be an American.”

The Awards Program commences Sunday evening, March 21, with an evening Welcome and Reception. On Monday, March 22, winners will enjoy a tour of the Washington, D.C., including a visit to the National Archives, and to George Washington¹s Mount Vernon. The Awards Program will continue on Tuesday, March 23, with a tour of the Library of Congress, a luncheon on Capitol Hill, and a visit to the Capitol itself. The day concludes with a Gala Dinner at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Hundreds will be in attendance at this Gala event as we gather to celebrate both teachers and their students.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment and well-earned recognition for Chris,” said Head of School Mike Schafer. “We are extremely proud of him and grateful to Lyn Lord for encouraging him to participate in this inspiring contest. Congratulations to them both.”

Christopher Morse’s Winning Essay - What civic value do you believe is the most essential to being an American?

The United States of America rests upon a foundation of courage. Courage allows one to move forward with strength of character despite fear, and to stand up to adversity with integrity. Courage is the pillar of our country, exemplified by the Declaration of Independence and embodied by George Washington, and is the civic value that is most essential to being an American.

Despite fear and imminent danger, our Founding Father’s pointed our country towards freedom with the courageous act of affixing their signatures to the Declaration of Independence as a pledge to each other “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” (Declaration of Independence).

These men knew nothing of what future challenges a new America would face, but each had the courage of character to know that when a government no longer provides for a country’s “unalienable rights,” it becomes “their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security” (Declaration of Independence). This document objects to the injustices against America by the British monarchy; it is truly courageous to stand up for one¹s rights against anyone or anything that is bigger, stronger and older.

George Washington, the “Father of his Country,” displayed courage during his life and continues to serve as a reminder to those who follow him that with this essential value all things are possible.

Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, who for six years led the colonists in their opposition to British rule, before accepting the surrender of Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Washington could have faded from public life as a Revolutionary War hero, but he understood the restraints of the Articles of Confederation that allowed for a weak government by merely creating an alliance of sovereign states; he mustered the courage to return to public life as the head of the Constitutional Convention charged with establishing the Constitution. Our Constitution courageously provided for a balance between the federal and state governments while at the same time ensuring individual liberties; Washington¹s reward for his courage of conviction to ensure a strong government for a young nation was his election as the First President of the United States. He had the courage to proclaim neutrality in the French Revolution, recognizing that such a young nation could not pledge allegiance to another European power. Washington had the courage to consult all branches of government, recruit a militia, and lead those troops into Pennsylvania to squelch the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 as a courageous proclamation to all Americans that our laws must be obeyed. George Washington embodied both physical and mental courage, as he bravely soldiered for America and deftly led a young and vulnerable nation.

Courage has defined my life. Today, rules are loose and boundaries are crossed, making courage an even more important civic value.

As American patriot Thomas Paine wrote, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph ’Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death” (Thomas Paine). I have the courage to work hard in school and on the athletic fields, and the success is greater because of the work involved to achieve lofty goals. I have rebounded from multiple surgical procedures, each time working to become a bigger and stronger person. Moving beyond the setbacks that come with physical limitations are difficult, yet I have never thought that doing anything other than working hard and regaining strength was an option.

Peer pressure is powerful, and it takes courage to behave with integrity. I volunteer as a children’s counselor, and intend to pursue an education at an academically challenging college, knowing that I have the courage to lead others in the right direction. I hope to become a trauma surgeon, a profession whose members show courage every day. Not knowing whether an injured person will live or die, but doing everything possible to save them is a courageous occupation. I hope to take this skill and serve in the military where every day presents unknown adversity requiring courage. Our country was founded with courage, our Founding Documents attest to the courage of their creators, and courage remains the essential American civic value.