2010 Written Expression Winners

Shelby Bruseloff
Rachel Kurian
Olivia Peace

“United We Can”
Each and every one of us is the owner of a very precious gift – the gift of life. Though there are hundreds of us here today, every single one of our lives will eventually be summed up in one complicated story. Some of these might be despondent and tragic, while others may be uplifting and optimistic, and still the best of us will tell tales of happiness and fulfillment. What makes the stories of our lives so complicated are the people, situations, and circumstances that have and will come into our lives in order to further shape our perspectives and realities.

This is what being an American citizen means to me: we all enjoy different walks of life, but, in the meantime, we must all walk together.

A community, in my eyes, is a group of people working together to create an environment that benefits everyone. Every year, I wait until the summer to rejoin my own special community: Camp Kennedy, a small and very unique outpost camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There’s neither electricity nor maid service. We rely simply upon the support of thirty-five other campers. We make our own meals and clean up after ourselves. It’s just us and the nature that surrounds Camp Kennedy for five and a half weeks.

This is what being a citizen in a community means to me: working together with otherwise strangers to enhance our environment and improve ourselves.

What value has the one?

One is strong, but forever lonely

One can be giving, and one can be selfish

One can be the change, and one can be the difference

This is what being an individual means to me: I can change myself just as easily as I can try to change the world.

As much as our lives will change, we each have the chance, everyday, to be the source of change for other people’s lives, as well. There is one man, in particular, who comes to mind for having made an example of this major change that one can make. We celebrate him today: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been an inspiration, catalyst, and model -- not only for me as an individual, but also for the world as a whole.

This is what being an American citizen means to me: I have the chance every day to change my country and the world around me. All it takes is to stand up for what I believe in. For example, this performance is the change that I have decided to make today.

You might ask me: “How is Camp Kennedy a community?” It might seem too small, compared to regional communities like West Bloomfield, or too eccentric, compared to the electrically-powered and comfortable neighborhoods in which we live. But, if we open our minds, we can surely consider Camp Kennedy a community, too. Our Camp Kennedy support system is what makes us so significant: from making meals together to comforting home sickness to encouraging each other to complete difficult tasks, we have become a community and we have committed to caring for each other. One example of this caring community in action took place in an unusual scenario that many of us initially feared. We all woke up early one day and drove on a green bus to a large rock face – and we were supposed to climb it! Out of the thirty-six of us, you can imagine that not everyone wanted to make this high climb. The brave campers were the first to complete the climb, so they were available to cheer on the more timid of us. At first, there were sparse comments, like “You got this!” or “Keep climbing!” Eventually, as the struggles became more pronounced, a chant started. I watched and cheered as my fellow campers continued up the wall, despite their visible shaking and fear. Upon reaching the top, they began their descent, only to reach the ground smiling and receiving countless high fives, hugs, congratulations, and reminders that we all knew that they could do it.

This is what being a citizen in a community means to me: When I need help, there will always be someone behind me, encouraging me to keep climbing. In turn, it is my duty to encourage others and remind them that they can do absolutely anything.

The one is easily shaped, but can just as easily shape others

Apart from the masses, it does its duties and then goes on its way

The one is inherently lonely, but somehow still a part of the whole

The one is the sparking that starts a fire, and also the last ember burning when it goes out

The one is in need of encouragement, and still always there to help

The one is more valuable than the mass will ever be

This is what being an individual means to me: I can start a change, help its progress once it has begun, or be a contributor to making its effects last.

Martin Luther King, Jr. left a mark on this earth that we need to acknowledge on this day. We celebrate the birth of a man who had the belief and confidence necessary to change this world. His vision, dream, and life have served as a model to me and hopefully to you, as well. Persistence, loyalty, love; let us adopt these virtues from Dr. King.

This is what being an American citizen means to me: that we are all a part of a fantastic history of Americans who strove to better our nation and our world. One American can make a change that any other American can continue.

Back at Camp Kennedy, it seemed that climbing was not enough of a challenge. Our counselors had another adventures planned for us: cliff jumping! Still invigorated by our other outdoor exploits, my fellow campers and I were unabashed as we fell through the air and plunged into the water. We were all confident now that we could do it ourselves and also that we had each other for support if we faltered. I really felt the strength of my community behind me as I made my jump. That is what community means to me. It is not defined by boundary lines or governed by city ordinances, but rather it is any place where you feel that you belong and that people support and respect you. My summer community is Camp Kennedy, my social community is West Bloomfield, and my learning community is West Bloomfield High School.

This is what being a citizen in a community means to me: I can belong to more than one community and still feel like I belong to them all. I have learned more about the essence of community through my adventure at Camp Kennedy, as well as my everyday experiences in West Bloomfield.

So then, what value has the many?

The many holds true power

But, the one will always be the beginning and the end

Man holds true power in his history

A history long past, telling tales:

Of young heroes rushing forth towards justice,

Of crowds waiting outside of authority’s doors

Of martyrs who died for the cause,

Glorified only after the world has realized its shame

This is what being an individual means to me: That one man can fight social injustices to which others have conceded. The individual is not scared to believe or too timid to speak up. The individual can fade into the background, but a true individual refuses that option.

This afternoon, we all marched together to symbolize Dr. King’s vision of a diverse and harmonious world. We are even closer, now, to making his dream come true. He has made a profound mark upon the history of American society forever. He has also taught me the meaning of brotherly love, compassion, and sacrifice. Dr. King dared to be the light in the darkness, and we are all here because we see now that it is possible for one person to change the entire world; this one man touched the lives of us all.

Surely, because of him, now we know:

All: United We Can.

My time at Camp Kennedy has shown me that it is possible for every member of a community to work together and accomplish anything. This reassurance was the reason we all left Camp Kennedy smiling, despite the sadness of having to leave the camp and its memories behind. While we are away from Camp and back in our home communities, however, we still feel that same sense of duty to our communities. We still feel that we are a part of something good that helps out the whole.

Together, in our communities – wherever they may be – we can face our fears and overcome any obstacles.
All: United We Can.

Unity, the uniting of a group

Standing together, without care or consequence

Standing together, without thought to what others may say

Not thinking like the others, but cherishing the differences of their individuality

Finally, finally, the power is ours

For, together the battle is won

Together, we can accomplish what the one could never do alone

All: United We Can.

 

Past Student Contest Winners