FORT WALTON BEACH — Three local students received awards Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge for their essays on why they love America.
At the ceremony, Grand Master Dennis Barbarisi praised the students for their scholarship, patriotism and diligence.
“They are fine young people and examples of the good youth of today,” Barbarisi said.
Each student won a plaque, a bookmark and $150.
Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson also praised the students for their gasp on what it means to live in America.
Brandon Ace, who was an eighth-grader at Bruner Middle School at the time of the contest, said his teacher helped inspire his essay. He listed and discussed the freedoms and rights Americans are afforded.
“We have real rights and opportunities,” Brandon wrote. “We are almost entirely free.”
Maggie Gillen, an eighth-grader at Meigs Middle School, said she was inspired by her family’s military background. Her grandfather died saving a comrade in Vietnam.
No matter the differences between our country’s people, Maggie said, at the end of the day they’re still Americans.
“We might say we don’t like government, or the current president, or how the economy is being controlled,” Maggie wrote. “At the end of the day, those things don’t matter. We stand together as a whole.”
Rhizza Rhen L. Lucena, a sixth-grader at Pryor Middle School, came to the United States from the Philippines in April and fell in love with America.
“I am proud to be an American, even though I am not a full-blooded one. I am still proud to be living here, where at least I know I’m FREE, and that is what matters most in LIFE,” Rhizza wrote.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.
