3A Essay Winners | 2019

Winning Essay, Ian Falck:

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a remarkable man. He wasn’t just a United States president, but he was also an activist, a brother, a father, and a leader. Although he isn’t alive, his spirit lives on in the USA and the world.
He worked hard for equality, friendship, loyalty, and kindness. If someone needed a friend, he was one. He was courageous, smart, helpful, and outgoing. John F. Kennedy was, and still is, a hero. He truly was an incredible man.
In the ‘60s during JFK (Jack’s) presidency, there was an awful thing called segregation. Segregation kept people apart, judging people by their skin color. Black people couldn’t go to the same schools that white people could, they couldn’t sit in certain places on the bus where white people could, and they couldn’t even drink from the same water fountains!
Segregation, otherwise known as racism, was ruining lives. At protests against racism, black people were sprayed with hoses, black families were separated, and black adults and children were sent to jail. Jack found out about this. He started to work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other segregation workers. His brother, Robert “Bobby” Kennedy helped him write a speech about segregation. Soon laws were made and segregation in the USA had come to an end.
Jack was a hero to many people. He was very kind to people. He didn’t see them as blacks, he saw them as people who should be treated with respect and fairness. He helped the whole country see them like that too. That made an impact. Things might still be segregated today if it weren’t for JFK. John was very brave for writing speeches, holding meetings, and fighting for black people’s rights. JFK was incredible.
I think we should remember JFK so that we never forget what he did for us. He made our country a better place, which is something we should all do. We should remember him to remind us that not everyone looks the same, but everyone’s rights should be equal. We should remember racism so that we don’t start it again and to keep everyone safe.
I think JFK and I are alike because JFK thought segregation was wrong and so do I, and JFK believed in peace and so do I. Two things that both President Kennedy thought was right and I do too are kindness and fairness. An example of when I’ve been kind was when I helped my friend sort out a problem at recess. Another example was when I helped my sister use a website she needed for homework. It feels great to be kind to people and it makes the world better! John F. Kennedy was always kind. John Fitzgerald Kennedy did many incredible things in his lifetime. He truly was a remarkable man!

Runner-Up Essay, Naama Sade Feldman:

JFK was a kind, friendly, thoughtful, caring, and intelligent man. He helped people even when he was in pain. He always cared for others. JFK was a remarkable man.
JFK taught me to never give up even if things are challenging. John Fitzgerald Kennedy believed in hope and thought positively.
Without JFK, black people couldn’t be with white people, they couldn’t drink from the same water fountains, black people couldn’t go to the same schools as whites, and there wasn’t much hope. JFK helped others tons! Without him the world wouldn’t be like this and that’s why we honor him.
JFK and I are alike because I help others in my own special way. I support my friends and I am kind, even if I don’t want to be. What I’ve learned from JFK is to never give up even when things are rough and to always help others even if I don’t want to. JFK also taught me to think positively and to never give up!