Christopher A. Porricelli - HONORABLE MENTION

Age: 15

Hometown: Brick, NJ

One nation, under God. A simple, yet effective motto to symbolize our country, America. To take four words and make them represent one people, takes glory and among that, takes pride. This mountain is blessed with four presidents out of an infinite number, that will, like others, bless our country with hope and praise, yet help people for who they are or who they will be one day. May this mountain be more than engraved rock, and may it represent a piece of American culture for years to come. May freedom ring from this stone, and may every human who steps on American soil feel free, for that is who we are; how we choose to live.

With forefathers President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln standing more than tall, the United States of America starts a memorial of the birth and growth of the development of our country and only the unbounded possibilities we can accomplish. With the past behind us, the present around us, and the future ahead, we will always remember our country's motto and purpose, here, in this world. Among many other statues of our 'liberty', Mount Rushmore should be blessed with American pride and praise.

Our fellow brothers and sisters, for us to let such a beautiful monument pass us by would be far beyond cruelty, and instead we should think of the more constructive ideas to keep these fleeting memorials up and rising. One day we will pass, and new and energetic people will enter, when we are not here to tell stories and pass the truth, let our statues of freedom, our memorials of liberty, and our culture lead these innovative people into unrestrained potential.

Now our history is recorded, now our past is told, and we, the people of America, may surpass this great nation's genuineness to the pioneering people of the future. With four fore founders of this country here to stay, forever, here to represent our country for years to come we must sanctify them and only move on to exceed the expectations of others. We, the people, need to bless this and other memorial sites, for one day others will cherish it too. We know we are one nation, and above all, we are one nation under God. One God, one people; may God Bless America.