3F Essay Winners | 2019

Winning Essay, Hannah Cote:
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 at 3 p.m. He had eight other siblings. His older brother Joe, Robert, his sister Kathleen (AKA Kick), Patricia, Rosemary, Eunice, Jean, and the youngest brother Teddy--oh and their dog Buddy too.
John F Kennedy was a brave person all throughout his life. For example, Jack got sick a lot. When he was two and a half he got Scarlet Fever and it was so contagious he was separated from his family and had to stay with his nanny. He missed his mother. Also, when he was born he had one shorter leg and when he walked on it, it threw off his walking and that caused back pain. He had back pain his whole life. Lastly, when he was three, he got German Measles. Later on in his life he got whooping cough and more. It was so brave to be sick but still stay so positive. I would not be able to fight all those illnesses because that is a lot of illnesses.
Once when Jack was in the Navy, he was sailing on his boat the PT 109 when out of nowhere a Japanese destroyer came and split the PT 109 in half. Two people died instantly. One-half of the boat sank right away and the other half floated. The crew held onto the half that was floating. They waited for 9 hours. Then JFK commanded the crew to swim. One man was too burnt to swim. JFK did not want him to die alone. So he grabbed his life jacket by the strap with his mouth and he and the crew swam for five miles. Then they found an island called Plum Pudding Island. I think that is brave because his boat split in half and two people died. Also when he was holding onto the boat he could have fallen in the water and drowned and died.
Lastly, when JFK was giving his speech for being president it was really really cold out and he took off his jacket and he knew he might get sick but he still did it. Loudly he said in a very famous speech that included “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He was freezing but stood strong and kept going even though he was cold.
Imagine how great it would be if everyone was as brave as JFK. Our world would be so much better. So if you ever face a challenge you should always remember JFK also had to face hard challenges. You are not alone.

Runner-Up Essay, Yehonatan Davidi:
John F. Kennedy did a lot of good things. He wanted an American to orbit the earth. He wanted an American to go to the moon. He started the Peace Corps. He helped give people civil rights. He became one of America's most loved presidents. In 1963 when he was shot America was heartbroken. America will remember John F. Kennedy because he was so determined to make America more amazing.
President Kennedy started the Peace Corps. America is a very rich country. Kennedy had the idea of helping poor countries. Then more people loved him. But that wasn't it. America became more in touch with the world. Not only that but a lot of people who signed up to volunteer made a lot of friends.
President Kennedy sent the first American to orbit the earth!!! Some people thought it was a waste of money but it did happen. John Glenn orbited the earth 3 times!!! People were amazed because at that time that was incredible. I think President Kennedy wanted to show what America can do and it worked!!!
President Kennedy also wanted an American to land on the moon!!! Again people thought it was a waste of money, but it still happened. In 1969 Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. Sadly in 1963 John F. Kennedy was shot. He never saw his dream come true. But who knows, maybe he saw it as a ghost.
John F. Kennedy will be remembered as a great president who stopped the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also sent a man to orbit the earth and sent an American to the moon. He started the Peace Corps. He helped give civil rights to all people. JFK changed America with all those amazing things.