Value of Education Essay Contest 1st Place Winners

Grade 4

Grace Bolton
Grade 4
Worden
The Economy

The economy affects a lot of people.  In this essay I will talk about how the economy affects my school.  I will also talk about how the economy affects the costs of things.  Sometimes the economy makes people lose their jobs.

The economy effects school in many ways.  It affects my school by not having as many field trips.  There are cutbacks on buses and the buses will be more crowded and have longer rides.  The costs of things raise because of the economy.  People can’t afford new school clothes.  Some teachers will lose their jobs so there will be larger classes.

I have to stay in the district for field trips.  I had to buy school clothes when they were on sale to save money.  My class is larger because more teachers have lost their jobs.  The economy makes me feel mad because it changes my school.

The only good thing is that I get a bigger class which means more friends.  The rest of the things that the economy has done aren’t good things.  The economy made things hard.  I hope it gets better next year.

 

Chris Byron
Grade 4
Woodland
Library Renovation

Exciting news just in!  The Edwardsville Public Library is remodeling with so many new feature, such as a wheelchair ramp and spinning chairs.  The rennovation has taken place in both the upstairs and the downstairs with the anticipation of the childrens section, turning the library into a completely modern, fully functional Library for the Edwardsville Public.  According to Annie, the head of the childrens Library, the remodeling started in late December and has been funded by a reserve fund from the city.  The construction is being carried out by L. Wolf Company from Granite City.  Annie said she was very excited about this project and is very happy with the progress.  Her favorite additions to the library were the toys in the children’s section and the new ramp.

Upon entering the Library the patrons can notice obvious improvement.  The paint and carpet stand out.  The children’s library carpet is colorful and inviting.  The new ramp makes getting around the Library easier for disabled patrons and strollers.  The new renovation is a good start to improve our community.

Having a modern and updated library is important for Edwardsville’s citizens.  I personally am effected by, and appriciate the renovation because I enjoy the comfortable, interesting surroundings of the Library and can often be found browsing for books in the new teen section. The improvements of the library are almost complete, and I recommend the new library to all Edwardsville citizens.
Talia Holmes
Grade 4
Cassens
Finally Change

On February 11, 2011 the seventh day of protesting Egyptians chanted “Leave, Leave”!  They wanted president Hosni Mubarak, in office for 29 years to resign.  He said that he would not run in September because of all the fighting, but that was not enough.  They kept raging for him to leave.  So no one got hurt, he did.

This event effects me because I think that I am really blessed to be able to sell lemonade on a hot day without getting a fire for selling things without permission from the goverment.  Another reason is because I are more safe.  People in Egypt, when they were protesting were not very safe with people throwing things.

The Egypt protesting effect my community because we have a president who has to follow a constutution for our laws.  The protesting helped them because the president could do what ever he wanted to do.  Also, we don’t have as much as we have because taxes are so high there that they can’t have all that they need.  But when they protested it helped them, and us to realise how much we have.

This event has effect ted many people and always will.  Egypt has been effected most of all.  Everyone deserves a chance.  This is theirs.
Luca Krug
Grade 4
Cassens
Music Contest

My brother participated with other Jazz Bank members from Liberty Middle School in a music contest against other schools.  The contest gathered students from many schools and took place at Coolidge Middle School in Granite City, Illinois.  The excitement was big.

The event was very electrifying.  I saw a lot of kids practicing before being judged.  At first, I was a little nervous because there were so many people.  Before the contest, the bands gathered in the gym.  I could hear violins, trumpets, trombones, flutes, saxophones and many more instruments playing at the same time.  Although the sound of each was very good, all together it was a little bit too much for me.  I could not even talk to my mom who was sitting right next to me.

After listening to the practice, my parents and I went to room #140 where Liberty School Jazz Bank was going to perform.  During the time I was there, I saw many friends from my school and neighborhood I did not expect to see.  It was fun to see all these people listen to the same performances of the Jazz band.  The judge was sitting on one side and watched the performance.  He wrote scores down during the two songs they played.  My brother and the band did really good but I do not know their score.

Going to a music contest is a very nice thing.  It gives you the chance to hear a lot of instruments and see a lot of people who love to play them.  Music can be a wonderful thing.  It is always so fun to listen to it.  Everyone should learn to play an instrument.

Abby Nahlik
Grade 4
Cassens

Shoeman

Students of Albert Cassens Elementary School have probably never been to Kenya or Haiti.  These countries are poor and residents have to walk miles for water that is often dirty.  On these walks, their feet could easily get hurt.  Why?  Most residents can’t afford to buy shoes!  George “The Shoeman” Hutchings started a project to provide these countries with two lifesaving needs; water, and shoes!

This project starts with the shoes.  Groups such as churches, schools, or businesses donate shoes.  The shoes can be new or used.  Then, George the Shoeman comes by and picks up the shoes.  Students of Albert Cassens Elementary School can help with this project by bringing in shoes for their shoe drive.

After he collects the shoes, George sells them to merchants in South America, Kenya, and Haiti.  These merchants then sell the shoes to Kenyans or Haitians for very little money.  The shoes protect resident’s feet so they don’t get foot abrasions, mites, or parasites.  George has already served about 130,000 people.  Not everybody can help that many people, but everybody can help.  All you need to do is donate one or more pairs of shoes to help save somebody’s life.

With the money they get from the shoes, they buy water pipes so that Kenyans and Haitians have clean water to drink.  Already, he has drilled 140 wells in Kenya alone.  Along with drilling wells, he has been supplying Kenyan and Haitian villages with water purification systems to make sure the water stays clean.  He provides Kenyans and Haitians with water that we take for granted.  By donating shoes, you can help save the lives of these needy people.

So, groups donate the shoes.  These shoes are sold to the poor, and the money that is earned from the shoes is used to buy wells and water filtration systems.  If you participate in this project, you can save lives.  All you have to do is find unwanted shoes, tie them together with a rubber band, and drop them off at a shoe drive.  To save lives and all you need are shoes!

 

Lauren Meyer
Grade 4
Woodland
Current Event Essay:  High Gas Prices

People have been talking about high gas prices.  I read on the internet and learned why gas prices are going higher.  People in North Africa and the Middle East are fighting.  This area is where most of the oil comes from.  When the people in these countries are fighting the countries make less oil.  When there is less oil the price of gas goes up.

The higher gas prices means it costs more to drive a car.  Since it costs more money to drive a car, there are some things we may not get to do as often.  We may not get to go on as many vacations.  We may not get to go on any field trips.  We may not get to go to the Science Center, Magic House and the zoo as often as last year.

Since we are spending more money on gas we may not have as much money to buy other things.   We may not get to go to the Movies, out to eat or to Dippin Dots as often.  We may not get as many toys as we used to.

If we used less gas maybe the price will go down.  We can use less gas if we carpool, ride the bus, walk, ride a bike and use electric cars.

 

Trevor N. Neumeister
Grade 4
Woodland

Fire! Fire!  What would you do if your horse farm was on Fire?  On February 20, a fire killed 6 therapy horses at the “Pine Dell Farm in Pleasant Hill Missouri.”  The Horses tack, trailer, feed, grooming stalls and equipment was burned.  The therapy horses helped children and adults with autism and cerebral palsy.  These people would ride on the horses to make them feel better.  It was later found out that the fire had been started by an accidental electrical fire.  the fire fighters thought that it was a bad electrical cord that began the fire.

This story affected me because my 4-H group began collecting items to give to the farm.  The group also had a member from our own horse community that had moved over to that horse farm.  We we’re very happy to hear that her horse was one of the 17 that were saved by two women that had been at the farm. This accident will help bring our horse community closer to theirs by helping with donations and showing we care.

As a community we can help giving donations of tack new or used.  Tack is equipment used for horses.  This will help others be able to ride horses. Feed is another thing that could be given.  This way the horses.  This way the horses will not starve.  If you are not able to give Feed or tack you can always give money If you give money they could build thier buildings back, build stables and give a better Futur for the horses!

 

Stella Swalley
Grade 4
Cassens

This is Stella Swalley reporting live from Cairo, Egypt.  It seems now the Egyptians are finally happy, now that President Hosni Mubarak has taken a step down.  For days a huge angry mob has completely covered Cairo protesting.  Now more than one-fourth of the mob is gone.

Starting January 25 is when angry Egyptians took the streets in Tahrir Square.  For days they have been protesting.  Police and army men have been firing canons, guns, spraying water, beating and arresting the crowd.  That did not scare them away.  The protesting continued around the clock even in bitter cold.  They would not give up.

Some of the angry protesters even destroyed some ancient treasures!  They went a little too far.  No one can replace those artifacts.  Now people have formed a human chain around the ancient treasures in the museum in Cairo.  Lots of beautiful and amazing treasures destroyed.  That made more people upset.

For about a month the protesters have been protesting because President Mubarak was taking away free enterprise.  It made many Egyptians mad.  The protesting was very tragic with over 5,000 injuries and 300 deaths.

Now Egyptians are happy that President Mubarak has taken a step down.  We have lost lives and treasures.  Egypt has made history.  This is Stella Swalley reporting live from Cairo.  Back to you Ed…..

 

Jaydi Swanson
Grade 4
Cassens

When a family member is at war, it is upseting.  You don’t know if they are safe, or when they will be home.  Recently, a lot of soldiers have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.  This has effected both the community and myself in many ways.  In the following paragraphs, I will explain how.

When soldiers leave for war, it effects me greatly.  I feel lucky because the soldiers are risking their lives fighting for us, yet they don’t know us.  I don’t know how the soldiers families feel, because nobody in my family is in the army.  However, my great grandpa was in the army, and actualy fought in a war, before I was born.  My grandma says he never talked about it, so it must have been hard on my great grandpa and my family.  Also, my cousin would like to join the navy when he is 18.

Not only does it effect me personaly when soldiers leave for war, it effects my community.  For example, some soldiers who serve part time in the army have other jobs.  When they leave for war, their bosses have to find someone else to take over their job.  Also, when a soldier leaves for war, their family and friends are worried and need comforting.  The American Red Cross and the USO help provide some of this comfort by sending the soldiers supplies.  This helps comfort the family by letting them know that the soldiers have the supplies they need.

When I think about soldiers leaving for war, lucky feelings run through my brains.  I feel privelaged because the soldiers are fighting to protect me.  More people need to recognize this privelage because many people take it for granted.  More people need to help the soldiers by donating supplies.  It’s the least we can do to help the soldiers who save our lives

 

Grade 5

Grace Carlson
Grade: 5
Columbus
School is Cool

While many kids do not realize it now, school is incredibly important.  School is cool.  Without the education that school gives the life that kids and their parents live would be very different.  School is important because it will help you later in life.  It will help you get into college.  School will also help you raise a family.  Kids must understand the necessity of getting a good education.  Once a kid learns this, she will know that school is cool.

School is important because it will help you later in life.  Kids often do not realize it, but the way that their parents can provide them with food, clothing, and a house to live often relates to the education of their parents.  If a student’s parents were not able to get a good education, they might not be able to find a good paying job.  If the parents do not have a good job, they may not be able to pay for the things their kids need, or they will have to have work more than one job.  Because of this, when a student does not want to study or listen to her teacher, she should remember that if she does not listen, she might not be able to buy the clothes or food or live in the house she wants to.  Being a able to have clothes and a place to live is cool.

Also, without an education, a person will not be able to have choices in the job he wants.  A good student might be able to use math skills to be a banker.  A youngster that studies hard in biology might be able to be a doctor.  If a youngster does not study or listen in school, the choices he has for a job might be working at a fast food restaurant or having no job at all.  For these reasons, it is important to remember that an education is important and will help you later in life.  Picking the job a person wants is cool.

School is also important because it can help a person get into college.  Many kids also do not know that school is important when it comes to getting into college and having choices for jobs.  If a kid does really well in school, she can get a scholarship to a college.  By going to college, a person can get a degree in many subjects that will let him pick the job that they want.  By getting into college, a student can become a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, or even an engineer to name a few.  However, if a person does not realize the importance of education, and the need to do well in school, she may not even graduate from high school, and would not be able to choose any of those jobs.  Picking the job a person wants is cool.

It is also important to remember that an education is important when raising a family.  If someone’s dad went to college he could probably help with homework better.  For example, my dad helps me with my homework every night and checks it.  Also, an education is important in raising a family because it will help to get more job choices and better pay.  A better paying job will also help to provide more food, clothing, and a better home for a family.  If a person wants to raise a family, he should get a good education.  Providing a good home for a family is cool.

The education that a student gets a school is very important.  School helps people get great jobs when they grow up.  School also helps students get into a good college.  Finally, an education will help a person to raise a family.  For these reasons, it is important for kids to learn that school is a wonderful opportunity thing, and will help them later in life.  School is cool.

 

Jordin Lieberman
Grade 5
Columbus
The Importance of Education

“Let us think of education as a means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation,” said out thirty-fifth President, John F. Kennedy.  Education is important because if people get good grades they will earn more money, learn better life skills, and obtain a better job.  Education is essential for success.

Education is important for earning money.  People need money for almost everything in life.  People have to have money for survival, food, water, and shelter.  Also, it is illegal if you do not pay your commitments, such as insurance, bills, and taxes.  People can also buy more of the things they want, the more money that is made.  Obtaining nice things like a big house, a reliable car, and taking nice vacations can only be achieved with money.  Education is the key to obtaining both wants and needs.

Education is important because it teaches better life skills.  People need life skills for managing their money, such as managing a check book, and knowing how much money you have to spend.  Another life skill learned is good decision making.  Learning to say no and yes at the right times is key to a persons happiness and survival.  With a good education in decision making, a person is less likely to give into peer pressure.  When someone offers drugs, and educated person would say no because he/she has learned the negative consequences.  If someone wants to study for a test to get a better grade, an educated person would say yes, because he/she knows the positive consequences.  Another life skill learned is how to manage time.  If a person has a job and wants to go to the gym or hang out with friends, that person would have to be able to manage his or her time.  Education is essential to learning important life-skills.

Education is important for obtaining a desired career.  If a person gets a job they enjoy, work would be fun and something a person looks forward to.  With a quality job, people work less and at normal hours.  Having a good job allows more time with family and friends, and doing enjoyable things.  A person’s job will be less dangerous and more satisfying.  Fishing in cold rough seas or working in an oil factory is much more dangerous and physically hard compared to being a doctor or architect.  Education is important in obtaining a safe, less stressful job.

If a person works hard and obtains a quality education, he or she will most likely have a better job and earn more money, and be able to make good decisions which will affect his or her quality of life.  Nelson Mandela said it best, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

 

Airiana Madrid
Grade: 5
Woodland
The Value of Education

I find it difficult to place a value on something so powerful such as, education.  For decades men and women of all races have fought for their right to be equal; without education, equal rights would only be a ‘dream’ or a wish.  One needs education to simply care for him/herself.  One will not be able to have a choice or an option in his/her future career without education.  Uneducated people are likely to be taken advantage of, cheated, and tricked.  Education helps avoid illness, diseases, drugs, and un unhealthy life style.  Education opens the hearts of humans and teaches us to be more compassionate, patient and understanding of those who are different from ourselves.

Education leads to independence, confidence and awareness.  Without education, one may need financial help from the government, his/her family, or friends.  Education is more likely to lead to a higher quality of life.  Without education, one may not be able to get a job that will pay enough money to truly support him/her and a family.  In that case, one is not truly independent; lack of education can equal dependency.

Through education, a person is given the opportunity to earn a solid paying job.  A higher income means a person can buy the things he/she wants like a nice house, car and clothing.  A solid paying job can also provide a person the opportunity to donate money to charities and help those in need.  With education, a person can choose a career, a career they love and feel passionate about, and he/she won’t just have a “job” because she/he needs to pay the bills.  An education usually leads to a higher quality of life, which usually results in a happier and financially secure life.

Without an education one is more likely to be taken advantage of, tricked or cheated.  An uneducated person could be tricked into carrying out a crime or something that is wrong.  A cashier, salesperson or just a very bad person can cheat a person who lacks the knowledge and information needed to be aware.  An educated person is more likely to be compassionate and understanding of people who have disabilities, addicted are to drugs or alcohol, have a disease or illness, and who have chosen to live a unhealthy lifestyle.  A person who is uneducated has a higher chance of getting ill or a disease, developing an addiction, and making unwise choices.

Not all people who are not educated will make bad choices, use drugs, or develop an illness, however, lack of knowledge will naturally make a person more vulnerable.  Uneducated people may not seek medical treatment as needed, and may carry financial burdens, which can place pressure, not only on the person, but also on his/her entire family.  Education opens doors, it provides opportunities for people to develop healthier lifestyles, and it provides them with more choices and opportunities in life.

Education is important in may aspects of life and the desire to learn should never fade, not at any age.  The value of education is important for human beings of all ages.  My adopted grandfather is 101 years old, and he is a prime example of a human being who believes in the importance of keeping up with new technology, the news, and understands the importance of keeping his brain active.  He has seen a lot in his time, and without educating himself continuously, experiencing all of the changes over the last several decades could have been stressful.  Instead, he embraced new knowledge and never stopped learning.  It is very hard to place a value on education or even describe the powers of education.  We live in a country that all people have opportunities to educate themselves and work toward living a life that will impact our society.  Education is not just about choosing the career we want, or is it about building our dream house when we grow up, education represents what our country stands for, which is a choice to live the American Dream and use our education in ways that will impact society and make a difference in this world.

Jesse Plunk
Grade 5
Worden
School is Cool!

Why do we go to school?  Some people think school is about reading, writing, homework, and a place for kids while their parents are at work.  This is not the case.  Many very important things in your adult life will depend on how well you do in school.  The college you attend, if you can even make it to college, where you will work, and the money you will earn depends on the study habits you develop when you are younger.

School is not just about facts and figures, history, biology, and spelling.  While those things are important, there are many other skills you will learn in school.  Finding important details in a page of information, and learning how to research a topic are skills you will use all of your life.  You will need these skills in your job, or even when you buy a house or car.  Learning to develop good study habits now when you are younger, is easier than developing them in college.  Better study habits will help you get better grades, better grades mean a better college.

Going to college is more necessary than it has been in the past.  More employers now require degrees than ever before.  There is a wider choice of careers for people who have a degree.  In fact, in some professions, you have to earn a degree before you can begin training in that career field.  It’s important to work hard even in college.  Employers are interested in your college grade point average, not just whether you have a degree or not.  A higher grade point average suggests that you are intelligent, responsible, organized, and hard working.  These are all things employers look for when hiring someone.

Now more than ever, it is difficult to find employment.  In the past, large numbers of people were working in manufacturing.  Now, much of manufacturing is performed by

machines, and less people are needed.  Also, many jobs have been out-sourced over seas.  This means there are less jobs available.  As a result of the slow economy, more people are out of work, and fewer companies are hiring.  One way to be noticed by employers, is to have good education, a degree, and a high grade point average.

Studies show that having a college degree will help you get a job.  Not only that, it will help you get a higher paying job.  Having a higher income will allow you to purchase a better house, car, vacation, and generally allows you to have a higher standard of living.

In conclusion, having good study habits in school will help you get into a good college.  Good study habits in college will help you get a degree.  Earning a degree will give you a wider choice of careers.  As professional positions tend to pay higher salaries, working in one of these career fields will allow you to have a higher standard of living.  Therefore, working hard at school and valuing your education now, could change your future.

 

Matthew Swanson
Grade 5
Woodland
The Value of Education

An education is one of the most important things you can have.  Education is what leads to a good life.  There are many reasons to value a good education.  In this essay, I will give you three and explain why education is so important.

One reason to value education is that education can lead to a better life.  In order to get well educated you must learn and work in school.  Not taking school seriously is very bad.  Falling behind in work and not giving your all in school makes high school harder, and catching up more difficult.  High school is an important time for learning because it gives a person more of an opportunity to go to a good college.  While in college, a person should work hard and try to get a degree.  A degree adds options to what a person could do for a living.  The more degrees you get, the more options you have at picking a job and a better chance of getting a good one.  This leads to a better life because you are able to live where you want and buy what you need.

Another reason education is important is that it makes you feel good about yourself.  If you are well educated you have a sense of pride.  Education gives you more options in life and more control over yourself.  When you are smart and have a variety of skills, people respect you and want to be your friend.  Education can result in accomplishment of your goals.  You make your self worth higher by being able to do more to help other people, your community, and the environment.  You can give money that you earn from your job to charities or schools.  Being educated helps you and other people become happier and more prosperous.

Finally, I think education is so valuable because it is a gift.  Education is a gift because not everyone has the opportunity to go to school.  Al lot of kids would do anything for the education we have here in the United States.  Some kids live in countries where there are no schools.  Others live where there are schools but they are not very good.  Having the chance to go to a great school is a fortunate thing that I think everyone should be grateful for.

In conclusion, education is an important and valuable thing to have.  It leads to a better life, makes you feel good about yourself, and is a precious gift to receive.  I hope you see the value of education as I do.

Grade 7

Gwyneth Cross
Grade 7
Lincoln
Asian Carp

Imagine you’re out fishing.  What do you think you’ll catch?  In some parts of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, you have a 95% chance of catching an Asian Carp.  Exotic species are a problem in which species from other areas are introduced to other environments.  This happened in the Illinois and Mississippi rivers when catfish farmers imported Asian Carp in the 1970’s and accidentally let them escape.  Asian Carp destroy habitats, kill native species, eat food needed by other organisms, and are a huge problem to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

First of all, people do not understand that Asian Carp are a big problem because they think that they are just another fish in the ecosystem and that it doesn’t matter what fishermen catch as long as they can make a profit.  This reasoning is false because Asian Carp do not get along with other forms of aquatic life in the ecosystem and kill native plant and animal species by breeding and eating food needed by both mature and young fish species-namely zooplankton and phytoplankton, which are the main source of nutrition for many species of fish.  Asian Carp consume vast amounts of these vital resources, and can eat up to 40% of their body weight in a day, much more than their native competition.  Also, fishermen do not make as much of a profit on Asian Carp, as they are only worth about 14 cents a pound, less than other types of more valuable native fish.  Asian Carp are most definitely a large problem in the Mississippi and Illinois river ecosystems.

Equally important is the fact that Asian Carp are the most abundant species in some parts of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, far outcompeting the native aquatic life with their four foot long, 100 pound stature.  Another distressing habit of Asian Carp is their ability to jump out of the water and hit boats, equipment, and even people, making them a danger to fishermen and recreationalists alike.  This is made even worse by the fact that they leave oily residue on everything they touch, making their habits even more inconvenient.  Asian carp are a danger to both the public and the ecosystem.

Finally, there is a simple and fairly simple solution to this environmental issue which has plagued us for so long.  All along we have been saying that Asian Carp are fish, so why not eat them?  Some fishermen have already tried to sell them, but they haven’t been a very big seller because people do not always make the connection between carp and delicious.  Fishermen may consider changing the name of the fish to something more appetizing, such as Rock Island Sale.  Another thing that could be done about this issue would be for restaurants to start serving Asian Carp, perhaps at a discounted price because of their widespread availability.  It may take some convincing on the part of the public and the government, but if it worked, we could have a better chance of eradicating the Asian Carp species from the waters of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

In summation, Asian Carp destroy habitats, kill native species, and eat food needed by other organisms.  They hurt the ecosystem in many ways.  It is easy to see what can be done about Asian Carp, but it is not always easy to take a stand and do your part.  Make sure that the next time you’re out fishing you don’t throw back your Asian Carp-you might help stop thousands of new Asian Carp from taking over our ecosystem.

Grade 8

Sam Griffin
Grade 8
Lincoln
Value of Education Essay

Would you rather make $30,400 a year or $109,600 a year?  According to www.earnmydegree.com the average high school graduate make $30,400 a year while a person with a professional college degree makes an average of $109,600 a year.  It also states that if a person only attends part of high school the average income for them would only be around $23,400 a year.  This by itself indicates how important an education is.

However, money is not the only reason to get a good education.  A good education gives you more job freedom.  When choosing a job, do you want your choices to be McDonald’s cook or a gas station employee, or would you like choices such as a doctor or an engineer?  Those are not the only jobs you can choose from but they are a few of the most popular with a high school degree and college degree.

Other than choosing a good job, college degrees can also help open your mind to new possibilities and experiences.  Someone with an art degree may see things in art, movies, music, and literature that others would not.  These different concepts they have will usually give them a better experience when viewing, reading, or hearing these things.  A degree will also help a person distinguish what is true and what is not in the media.  My parents have nursing degrees and when watching television shows, they correct medical errors.

I might be doing this some day because when I grow up I want to be an anesthetist, which is a form of advanced practice nursing.  To accomplish this task, I must have an extensive college education.  It may be a little early to start thinking about college, but to get into a good college; I must get a good high school education first.  To do well in high school, I am pushing myself now in middle school.  If you don’t try hard in middle school, you are setting yourself up for a bad high school experience.  Another way I am preparing for college is by picking all of the honors courses in my freshman year in high school and choosing more honors classes for future years.  One more way I can get closer to my goal is by saving funds for college, thus I will be ready when the time comes.  If I continue down the road I am going, I should succeed in becoming an anesthetist and having a job I will enjoy.

A lot of students will not have an enjoyable job because, according to right-mind.us, a student drops out of high school every 29 seconds leaving 1 million kids a year in the United States without a good education.  A good education sets you up for a good and more enjoyable life.  I personally would rather make $109,600 a year over $30,400 a year and enjoy my job while doing so.

 

Matthew Jones
Grade 8
Liberty
The Value of Education

Do you want to succeed in life?  According to Mark Twain, “There is nothing training (school) cannot do.  Nothing is above it’s reach.  It can turn bad morals to good ones; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to angelship.”  This quote means that completing an education can help someone be successful.  Education can improve one’s career, sharpen their communication skills, and give oneself a sense of pride and accomplishment.

A finished education is a valuable resource when choosing and applying for a career.  While in school one can discover what kind of career they enjoy.  An example, if one enjoys math that person may want to choose a career in mathematics.  An education also helps someone get a job.  According to the U.S. census 7% of people without a high school diploma are unemployed while only 4% of high school graduates.  This means that if one drops out of high school there is a 3% higher chance that person may not have an income, insurance, or even a home.  One may say that a 3% difference doesn’t matter but that 3% represent 3 out of every 100 people.  People who finish school also have higher paying jobs.  The census shows that someone without a high school diploma makes around $200,000 annually whereas someone with a high school diploma makes around $300,000 annually.  Finishing an education is one of the most important things one can do to have a successful and enjoyable career.

School also teaches valuable social skills.  Group projects teach students how to work together similar to the way businessmen work together to sell a product or scientists co-operate to learn more about our world.  School also teaches people how to handle constructive criticism and use it to improve the quality of their work.  Constructive criticism is a common part of life and the education system helps one to be prepared for this.  One also makes many friendships at school.  School teaches one how to make good  friendships by teaching things like honesty and trust.  The education system teaches one how to interact with others.

Furthermore, finishing school gives oneself a sense of pride and accomplishment.  One can be proud that they stayed in school and finished what they started.  When one graduates they feel proud that they finished their educations.  By staying in school one feels accomplishment instead of regret.  After completing one has something that can never be taken away from them.  Also, not finishing school may cause one to not finish other things such as important projects at work.

Completing one’s education can help better their career, enhance their communication with others, and make one feel accomplished and proud.  A complete education is a valuable and unending resource when looking for a job.  School helps teach one to work with others.  Completing an education can give oneself a feeling of pride and accomplishment.  Do you want to succeed by finishing school?

 

Elizabeth Lynn
Grade 8
Lincoln

A foundation of any sort needs to be firm to support what comes next.  Education is what keeps the foundation strong for a child’s future.  Your childhood and young adulthood are the most important times of your life to be learning.  Unfortunately, some young people do not understand that.  They may say school is boring or a waste of time.  Some kids might skip school or not pay attention to what they are being taught.  It is understandable, why they would feel that way about school.  Learning can be difficult, and giving up can seem like the easiest option.

Maybe giving up on school is the easiest option, but when you grow up into an adult and you are uneducated, finding a job may be much more difficult than trying in school would have been.  High school students who drop out of school are thinking of the present moment.  They think only of how hard the work they are told to do is.  A lot of kids do not realize how great it is to be given the opportunity to have an education.  They do not think of the hard times the future will bring without a diploma.  A person not getting an education as a kid would lack the knowledge to pursue almost any career.  Employers would assume that if you were not able to complete high school, you will not be able to complete any other task.  If you do not try to get an education in your youth, you will regret it the rest of your life.

I, as a middle school student, try not to do anything now that I might regret later, so I know that if I give up in my schooling, I might not be able to reach my career goal.  I am still unsure as to what I want to do when I grow up, but I know that, whatever I do, I want it to express my talents.  Everyone has talents!  Let those steer you through your education and into your career.

If you are having trouble in school, you can always go to your teachers.  They are there to help you.  It may not seem like it at times, but all teachers want their students to do well in school.  If I am ever confused with what the teachers are teaching, I make sure to ask them to explain it again to me.  In this past decade, schools have been raising their standards of learning.  Students are being taught subjects including more intricate details.  Sometimes things will be confusing, but just know that teachers will do what it takes to make a student understand.  They know education is important.

Do not give up on school even though it seems like the easy option.  If the opportunity to be educated is present, it should be taken advantage of because, with a foundation built with education, a child can grow into a successful adult.

 

Eliza Pauk
Grade 8
Lincoln
Education

A life without education is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter. Even though a sandwich with jelly might taste good to some people, it is really very nasty. In this case, the peanut butter would represent a good education. The completed sandwich would be equivalent to someone’s life. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a life complete with an education and a job, tastes amazing. A plain jelly sandwich and a life without education is not satisfying at all. Personally, I would like to live a nice long peanut butter and jelly life.

Even though kids always talk about how much they hate school, they should consider themselves lucky. There are kids all over the world that would love the chance to come to a good school. Many kids do not get the chance of a promising future that many American children do. Lincoln Middle School is a great place to learn. There are many dedicated and experienced teachers. The school offers a variety of educational groups and activities that are available. In Africa, a majority of schools do not even have safe drinking water. I hate to say it, but very few of them will ever get jobs because of their lack of education. This is all the more reason that we should consider ourselves lucky to have a good education.

In order to get a job, you usually have to have been taught in certain areas. I have always wanted to be a doctor. This will only be possible with several years of medical school. Almost every job requires some schooling. Jobs including medical work, engineering, and research require years of schooling. This covers a vast majority of careers. There are some jobs that do not always require education. For example, waiters, salesmen, and factory workers do not normally require education. However waiters do not normally make a large income. They also see limited increase in pay. Factory workers may earn a better salary; however, they normally perform the same task again and again. This leaves one sensible solution. Get a good education.

Why do people work? They usually just work to earn money. Very few people can live in present day America without an income. This makes education even more important. Higher educated people usually get the higher paying jobs. This means they do better financially. Doing better financially relieves stress from your life, which could even help you to live longer. People that achieve high levels of education usually have a less stressful future ahead of them.

As human beings, we like to look towards the future. While growing up, many people dream about what they will be when they grow up. They also think about what kind of car they will drive and where they will live. Getting a good paying job is only possible with some form of schooling. Any kind of car is only possible with money. A good education can give you money, a job, and confidence. Just as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is only tasty with all of the key ingredients, my future will only be satisfying if I include an education that involves all of the necessary components.

 

Shaun Raftery
Grade 8
Lincoln

Many people understand how actions taken today can affect what happens to you tomorrow.  This can be very good for you, although it can also hurt you and make you suffer.  This contributes too many things.  If you eat unhealthy one day, the next day you could have to loosen your belt.  If you go out to play in the rain, the next day you could be sick.  If you go out partying instead of studying, you could fail the important test the next day.  Also by taking in the consequences, more consequences can occur, somewhat like a chain reaction.  If you fail an important test, you might fail a class, which could cause your education to be damaged.

In my perspective, this “chain” is your life.  Damage one of those chains, and it could threaten the chains below it to fall.  And each time a bad decision is made, no matter how small, a little more weight is added to the rock at the end of your chain, trying further  to pull your life apart.  I consider this “rock” your reputation.  How people view you for who you are.  As an example that happens in everyday life, if you were fired from your job, based on your record, you’re a bad employee.  Why would an employer hire you over someone else with a clean slate?  That is the consequence you take, for a stupid decision or mistake at your previous job.

This cause and effect process begins with your education.  Right here, right now.

This is the most crucial part of your life chain.  You’re at the beginning of it, the backbone of it, where the most weight is strained.  What you do today in your education affects your strength in life as a whole.  Don’t just get by with school.  Strive to succeed.  Strive actually, to over-achieve.

Especially the eighth grade students.  You’re choosing classes for high school.  Don’t take all of the easy classes just to get by.  Take the most challenging class you believe you can do and succeed at them.  Don’t just take them and not even try to do well at it.  Try your best, and I mean your true best, to succeed at that class.  I am taking honors classes.  I had to ask my teacher to recommend me for one because I knew I could do it if I put my mind to it.  And also with the classes you get to freely choose.  Don’t take Home Economics just for an easy credit (unless you’re thinking about going into a culinary career path).  Choose something that actually interests you.  Think about a career that you could be good at, and go take classes that are recommend for it.

I for example, am looking for something perhaps in the medical field, because I enjoy helping others and making things better.  So I’m taking computers this year, because they are commonly used in almost every job and career, especially medical ones, and the next three years I will take health and medical classes, which will allow me to explore the vast variety of medical careers, and possibly find one that interests me.  If you take a class and find that you no longer are interested in it, it’s okay.  Try taking a different class for the next year.  That is the entire point of the classes.  To find something that fits your personality and traits.

This important first few links of your chain affect the rest of your life greatly.  That is why it is important to strengthen them.  Your high school education and how you handle it determine whether or not you can go to college, or how good of a college you can attend.  What college you go to and your actions you take there will affect what kind of job and career you will have.  From there you will have a certain income, which ultimately decides how easy or rough your life is going to be.

This journey begins with your education.  Your education makes up the first few crucial chains of your life.  But the first chain is the most important.  It is what holds up the entire chain.  The beginning of your chain begins right now.  But it’s your job, and mine, to make sure it is the strongest it can be.

 

Ryan Serfas
Grade 8
Lincoln
The Importance of Education

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”  This quote by John Dewey truly summarizes the importance of school.  Education is very important and valuable, and you should feel privileged that you have the opportunity to receive it.  Your chance of leading a successful life is greater if you have a complete education.  Without knowledge and education, it is more difficult to build opinions that are based on fact, and have perspectives regarding life.  Education provides you with more opportunities, and exposes you to new ideas.

An education definitely increases your chance of living a successful life.  Without an education, it is harder to find a job that pays an acceptable salary.  And without money, it is not possible to support a family and/or yourself.  Without proper schooling, you may end up earning less than you need.  Without completion of high school, the average income is $23,400 but with a high school diploma, the average income is $30,400.  If you do even more and complete a college level education, the average income is $52,200.  As you can see, the difference in annual salary between a high school and college level education is very large, $21, 800.

When building opinions based on fact and views in life, it is helpful to have an education.  Most opinions and views are made in the classrooms as we study different topics and people.  When you are deprived of or turn away from school, you will be limited by the set of information to make opinions and assumptions on certain areas in life.

When you stay in school, you will understand the choices and opportunities available for your career path.  You can enter many different programs and colleges with a high school education, but without one, you may not be accepted into certain colleges.  Therefore, your choices are limited, and you may be unable to follow or understand the career path you desire.  School introduces you to different subject and topics.  Consequently, you can choose a career path with knowledge of what that career path entitles you to.

School is much more important than we think.  Studies show that students who are more closely connected to school are significantly less likely to commit suicide or engage in substance abuse.  In addition, when student are educated, the rate of depression decreases considerably.

Each day, I make choices that will help me reach my career goals.  I will finish middle school, and high school at EHS.  I would like to attend college at The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and earn a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.   Upon graduation, I would like to work for an engineering company, such as Ameren, performing important work that pays a good salary.  A flexible work schedule would be desirable as well.  In order to make this goal achievable, I need to expand my knowledge throughout high school and college.

Choices and actions I make today also impact my career plans.  I am getting straight A’s in school.  I was recently selected by the administrators at my school to receive the “Daughters of the American Revolution” History Award because I obtain high grades, have an excellent attitude towards learning, and enjoy school.  I always put 100% of my effort into test, homework, and in-class assignments.  All of these choices that I am making promote my love for education and increase my chances for achieving my dream.

I understand that, at times, school may seem unimportant and boring.  However, most of the “boring” information you learn in your classes’ everyday will be important in your life to come.  Teachers are trained to teach you to the best of their abilities, and they always try to help you succeed.

In addition, school can also seem very long.  If, however, the school day lasted only three hours or so, teachers would not have enough time to teach you everything necessary for you to move on in your education.

For the reasons stated in this essay, I believe that school is of the utmost importance in life, and that I strongly encourage you to continue your education.  Stopping your schooling at this level would make it very difficult to obtain the type of lifestyle you desire.  Furthering your education increases your chances of getting the job you want and earing the salary that can support your lifestyle.  I strongly urge you to continue school, for education is not just one stage of your life, “Education is life itself.”

 

Faith Tan
Grade 8
Lincoln

A few months ago, I was playing “The Game of Life” with a ten-year old family friend.  In my opinion, “The Game of Life” is a frustratingly pointless game that has too many complicating rules, along with taking too long to play.  I grudgingly agreed to participate, and when the question of whether I was going to “go to college” came up, I automatically said yes.

“Why?” asked the ten-year old.

“Why do I want to go to college?  I don’t know.  So that I can get a good job and live happily ever after?” I remember replying.

“How would college help you get a good job?  It’s just more school.  I hate school,” announced the friend.

“It’s a game.  It doesn’t really matter,” I sighed, wanting to finish the game as soon as possible.  “But anyway, college is really important.”

“Oh yeah?  How?” challenged the friend.

So this is how I came to explain the value of an education.  Everyone has heard the generic, “Stay in school!” whether it’s from teachers, or the postman.  Most times, the explanation doesn’t go further than that.  So why, exactly, is education so important?

Education is the gateway to your future.  Making the decision to get a good education now will affect the decisions you will eventually make in the future.

An example of one of those decisions is what field you want to pursue a career in.  Maybe you are a talented artist, and you want to have a career in art some day.  Even schools that are dubbed “art schools” require a good education.  To get into a good school, you have to get good grades.  The decision to work hard now and get good grades will most definitely impact your career in art.

Money is not everything.  However, in the world we live in, it is quite a bit of something.  Foreclosure, not having enough money in retirement savings, and not being able to put food on the table is a constant fear in many people’s minds.  While nothing is guaranteed to prevent such things, having a good job that pays well can help, and having a good education is almost necessary to have a high-paying job.  Statistics show that people who have a good education make more money over their lifetime than people who do not.

Being able to support my children in the future is very important to me.  I am not aiming necessarily to provide them with a lavish lifestyle.  Instead, I want to be able to provide for them and for them to feel a sense of security.   I want them to be able to have all their necessities, and a little extra.  Being a good role model for my children is also very important to me.  I hope that they will realize the importance of education.

Education is the way out of poverty for many people.  While poverty should not still be a problem in this day and age, it remains.  In many countries, education is one of the only ways to release themselves from the bonds of poverty.

Both of my parents were born and raised in Asia.  Neither of them was very rich.  Both came to the United States to go to college.  My father worked various jobs such as a janitor and a busboy to get enough money to pay for his tuition.  At that time, students from all over Asia began coming to the United States to attend college.  They left their old life to come to a new, unknown place just to continue their education.

When I was nine, I learned an important lesson from a Weight Watchers commercial.  In this commercial, the narrator informed me that the choices that I make today, no matter how miniscule, will affect my future.  True, she was talking about resisting the call of pound cake, but it really got me thinking.  Even choices that we think are unimportant will affect our future.  For example, homework.  If each day, you decide not to finish your homework, it is going to build up and result in a bad grade overall.  Over the nine years I have been going to school, I have learned that when it comes to education there is no easy way out.  Every choice counts, and the honest way is the only way.

A few years ago, I attended a violin workshop.  I met a teacher there who inspired me, and ever since them, I have wanted to become a violin teacher.  I would love to go to Julliard, and I know that it will take a lot of hard work to get there.  I try to get as much musical experience as I can now to prepare for college.  Currently, I am in my school’s orchestra, and the Suzuki Strings Tour Group as well as participating in a few competitions each year.  I am working towards the Saint Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, and although it is a long way off, it motivates me to work harder.

I gave a somewhat shortened version of the last two pages to the ten-year old friend.  Throughout the whole speech, they sat quietly, listening.  I finished with this sentence:

“While it may not seem like it now, education is one of the most important things in your life.”

The ten-year old stared at me, dumbstruck.  The first thing that came out of their mouth was, “Wow.  I didn’t know someone could talk so much.”  The second thing was “I guess education is important.”

Thrilled that I had been able to motivate someone, I asked, “So do you think you’re going to go to college now?”

“Sure.”  The friend ruled after thinking for a second.  “Hey mom!  I’m going to college!”

I smiled as they ran off to tell their mom all the great things about education.