I was raised to believe that society works when everyone has an equal place at the table and our job as Americans is to keep making room so everyone is welcome, acknowledged, and equal.

I was raised to believein treating others the way you want to be treated, and that we're stronger together than we are apart. My mom always told us, 'many hands make light work' this instilled a passion for teamwork at an early age for both my...

The tradition I carry on ismaking tortillas! Coming from a Mexican family the first thing that you had to conquer was making flour tortillas! I remember my grandmother teaching me to make them when I was about 7 years old. Not an...

The tradition I carry on isbaking an angel food cake for friends when they've suffered a tragedy and there's not much else you can do. When I was a child, I noticed that my grandmother made and delivered an angel food cake to anyone she...

What keeps me up at night iswondering if I will ever live up to my true potential. As a child, I was the type of kid who always got straight A's and was quick to answer teacher's questions. Everyone assumed I would be extremely...

Most days I feelLike I am ready for a new challenge. As a secondary school educator, every day is exciting, and different. Unexpected occurrences keep you on your feet, and reaching your own goals make the struggle worth it.

Most days I feellike an actor in a movie waiting for the next pages of the script. not knowing if I have a part in my own story. I returned to college at 50 to find my voice. I am the American Dream, having overcome my...

Most days I feelmoderately hopeful, despite the issues that face us all. Sometimes I worry (briefly) that I am just a Pollyanna. I always shake off that idea because, because, because... I am not sure. I will think some more about it.

Most days I feelas if the polarizing of America has become normalized. The America that I knew; the America I defended; the America that stood for freedom was worth dying for. Now we are living in a time that challenges the...shining light of hope on the...

A day's work iscalling fellow Americans and making them aware that our Government is Legally kidnapping Children for federal funding. It's human trafficking for federal dollars. States are holding children in Foster cares at rates of 400,000-600,000 PER STATE on average each night based on FBI...

My parent(s) wanted me toto be happy and follow my dreams. They always supported me, whether they agreed with the directions I chose or not. They were there to celebrate when my choices worked out and there to help pick up the pieces when they did...

My Saturday night looks likevolunteering. Recently, I signed up to read stories to kids during story time. Some of my fondest memories were of my mom and I sharing stories before bed. I don't have kids of my own and still want to give back so...

My Saturday night looks likeboard games with my friends!

My American story started whenmy great great great grandfather (born 1793) must have had a dream of what he wanted for his children. He was a coal miner in Wales, as were the next three generations. By the turn of the 20th century, the coal mines...

My American story started wheni was born. it was sometime in february. i was born with a condition called Asperger syndrome, which means i don't sit still for long periods of time. 244 weeks and one day later my mom had my youngest sister. My...

My American story started whenMy mother came to this country as a refugee from the vietnam war in 1981. 2 years later I was born and through unoffical adoption I was raised for the next 5 years by the family that sponsored her as a...

You don't know what it's like towake up as a kid in the middle of El Salvador in a home with no electricity, no hot water, or real furniture and wonder if there is a life better than the one you are currently living. I grew...

What gets me out of bed in the morning isexcitement about starting another day of the work I love, as a freelance writer/editor and the author of over 100 books (not including books ghostwritten for clients). No wonder I work 7 days/week!

What gets me out of bed in the morning isseeing my toddler's smiling face!

I took a risk whenI joined the Marine Corps right out of High School in 2002.