So You Want To Be President — Winners' Essays
Casey's Essay - Consider the Presidents
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”1 Every president has said these words. Four of these presidents were chosen to be on Mount Rushmore. If I were to create a new Mount Rushmore, I would include John Adams, Andrew Jackson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson on it. They have all spoken famous words that, along with them, should be remembered.
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” 2 These are John Adams words. John Adams was the 2nd president and helped build our country. Even before becoming president, Adams helped George Washington and coordinated the Declaration of Independence. When he did become president, one of the most challenging problems Adams had to work out was his battle with France. Because he wanted to stay neutral, he had to work particularly hard to avoid war. He ended up sending two commissions to France, one without even discussing it with Congress. John Adams was very brave, even if it lost him some of his party, he did what he thought was most beneficial for the country.
“Without union our independence and liberty would have never been achieved; without union they can never be maintained.” 3 At Andrew Jackson’s second inaugural address, these words were heard. Not only was Jackson the first log cabin president, he was considered to be the first common man president becoming an orphan at fourteen. When Jackson became president one of the issues that he was very interested in was fighting against the Bank of the United States. Jackson felt that the way the bank was running was not the best policy. Eventually, Jackson got the policy he wanted. Even on the last day of his presidency, Jackson was working hard. He opened talks with Texas, which lead to it becoming a state. Jackson never gave up and put great effort into what he believed in.
“The fate of America cannot depend on any one man. The greatness of America is grounded in principles and not on any single personality.”4 On November 5, 1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke these words. Roosevelt had hardships in his life; he had been hit with polio and was crippled, but in time, he learned to walk with braces. One Roosevelt became president, a lot of challenges faced America. Probably the biggest was the Great Depression. Roosevelt tried all he could to pull our country back starting his plan, The New Deal. Then, during his third administration, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, after which Roosevelt made a speech known as “The Day of Infamy”. Ultimately the United States entered World War II. Not only did Roosevelt have to deal with these huge issues, he also created the social security system. Franklin Roosevelt was faced with so many obstacles and strived to relieve them all.
“All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing her today.”5 When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon B. Johnson was thrown into presidency. Johnson did much anti-poverty work which included The Great Society. The Great Society is a phrase Johnson used and it caught on quickly. It focused on things like the educational system, elderly citizens, and poverty. Johnson had to do a difficult thing, taking over for a president in office, but he did it very well.
The presidents I have spoken about, along with all of the other presidents have accomplished a task that is very tough; they have led our country to be what it is today. Although all of the presidents have done this, I would pick John Adams, Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson to be on the great, bold face of the new Mount Rushmore.
- Our Country’s Presidents . N.p.: n.p.,2001
- “ John Adams.” World Book Online Reference Center . World Book. 2007 http://www.worldbookonline.com/.
- “ Andrew Jackson.” World Book Online Reference Center. World Book. 2007 http://www.worldbookonline.com/.
- “ Franklin Delano Roosevelt.” World Book Online Reference Center. World Book. 2007 http://www.worldbookonline.com/.
- “ Lyndon Baines Johnson.” World Book Online Reference Center. World Book. 2007 http://www.worldbookonline.com/.
Stephanie's Essay - The Black Hills New Faces
The most spectacular, free attraction in the United States that is “decidedly American” is Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. If another soft grainy, granite carving was to be made today of four additional presidents, I believe it should be made honoring Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan. I am selecting these men on the basis of the many great things they did, but mostly for what I think they symbolized.
- Harry S. Truman symbolizes the fight against communist control of people and civil rights for all.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower symbolizes a positive attitude with integrity in tough times.
- John F. Kennedy symbolizes American’s national strength and world diplomacy.
- Ronald Reagan symbolizes “American can-do-ism”.
First, I would select Harry S. Truman to be on the new Mt. Rushmore because to me he symbolized the fight against control of people and civil rights. He faced Russia in the Cold War and fought against communist control of its people. He was the first president to join democratic NATO. He was the only president to use the Atomic bomb, and he used it on Japan after they attacked Pear Harbor, Hawaii. He led UN forces against North Korea to save South Korea from communism. He was the first president to stand up for African American saying they need to get equal treatment under the law, asked for civil rights, and desegregated the military. Harry S. Truman was famous for his speech stating, “I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.”
Second I would select Dwight D. Eisenhower because he symbolized a positive presidential attitude and acted with integrity in tough times. Eisenhower served 8 years, two terms, as president. He led the military in the war in North Africa and into World War II. In America he created a stable economy, a balanced budget, growth, and relative prosperity. He kept peace in explosive times, solved problems quietly, and began the environmental movement to protect resources for tomorrow. Dwight D. Eisenhower was famous for his quote, “I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect cheerful certainty. Without optimism, victory is scarcely obtainable.”
Third, I would select John F. Kennedy to be on the new Mt. Rushmore because he symbolized America’s national strength and world diplomacy. Kennedy created a spirit of American pride. He stood for civil rights and fought against racial violence. He led America into the Vietnam War, but he negotiated a treaty to keep peace between Russia and America. Kennedy’s beliefs were clear in his statement, “And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Lastly, I would select Ronald Reagan for the new Mt. Rushmore because he symbolized “American can-do-sim”. Reagan wanted to take power from the government and give it to the states and people, lower taxes, and increase money for the military. While he was president, our economy grew stronger, more people were working, new businesses started, and Wall Street made money. Reagan believed in “peace though strength”, so he had world leaders reduce nuclear stockpiles. Reagan believed in “American can-do-ism,” and he said so when he said, “Everyone can rise as high and go as far as his ability will take him.”
The most spectacular mountain in the world that symbolizes America’s honor of its presidents and their legacy is Mt. Rushmore. These carved granite faces in South Dakota are “decidedly American”. I believe the new Mt. Rushmore should be made honoring Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan because of what they have symbolized during there times as great, American presidents.
Resources
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/33truman/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/34Eisenhower/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/35kennedy/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/340reagan/index.html
Garrett's Essay - The “New” Mt. Rushmore
Mt. Rushmore is a National Memorial that has the faces of four presidents carved on its surface memorializing their revolutionary accomplishments as leaders of the United States. The faces on Mt. Rushmore include, Presidents: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson. Other than the four presidents that are on the mountain at this present day, there are many other deserving ones. What if you had the chance to decide on four presidents for a new Mt. Rushmore? Who would they be? The four presidents that I would chose are Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Ulysses Grant. The reason I chose these presidents are for the following accomplishments.
My first choice would be Harry S. Truman. I chose this president because he bombed Hiroshima Japan leading to the American victory of World War II. Everyone was happy the war was over because they longed for their loved ones fighting in the way. If it were not for Harry S. Truman we would probably still be fighting to this day. On May 8 Truman announced the end of the war over the radio. During the end of his presidency, on his seventy-first birthday, he broke ground for the construction of the Truman Library.
The second president I would choose is John F. Kennedy. He set a national record for sending a man to the moon before 1970. During his early years he joined the navy and his ship was destroyed but he managed to save him and his crew. Sadly on November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. Those are few of his many accomplishments. Placing his image on Mt. Rushmore would help America remember him.
The third president is Ronald Reagan. Before he became political he was an actor and was very famous. When he was younger he saved 77 people in 7 summers as a lifeguard. Ronald Reagan is a well-remembered president also because he negotiated a treaty to eliminate all nuclear long-range ballistic missiles and effectively ended Communism by having Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall.
Finally, President Ulysses Grant is my last choice for the new Mt. Rushmore. He served in the Mexican-American war as a lieutenant under the generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. In 1862 Grant led American troops to victory, in the battle of Vicksburg. He was the greatest general of his age, and the greatest strategist of any age, said by JFC Fuller. He would be a greatly influential addition to Mt. Rushmore.
In conclusion, each of the presidents I chose had a big part in shaping America, as we know it today. If we were to have a new Mt. Rushmore, those are the four presidents I would choose.
Caley's Essay - Mt. Mogo (Mo-joe)
John Quincy Adams
He was an independent Federalist, later a democratic Republican. He fought to be in the president’s office for the next four years so he can finish his job. His father, graduated from Harvard, and entered law practice. John Quincey Adams became minister to the Netherlands, the first of several diplomatic posts that occupied him until his return to Boston in 1801.
James K Polk
James K Polk wanted to expand our country by incurring more people to explore and move west. When James K Polk left the office, he left 1.2 square miles. He graduated with an honors degree at the North Carolina University.
George Walker Bush
George Walker Bush wanted more for protecting our country and more education for us too. Bush tried to help by writing letters for those who needed health care and a fraction of tax cuts. He was very kind and caring to those who needed help and to all. George Walker Bush graduated from Yale with a history degree in 1968. He also attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.
John F Kennedy
John was nicknamed Jack. John was a Harvard law student and graduated with an honors degree in 1940. During World War 2 John wrote a paper on why England was not ready for the war with the Germans. Later published as a best seller called, Why England slept. John F Kennedy, on December 7, 1941 we were attacked by Japanese bombers at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii when 2 years later a Japanese destroyer cut off John’s boat, PT 109, and injured a crew member. John held on to the injured man and swam to shore for safety and help.
Mohammed's Essay - My Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore has four Presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. If I were to pick four Presidents on Mount Rushmore here’s who it would be and why.
The first President I picked was Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President from 1869 to 1877. He was an honest and good leader, he lead the Union Army through the Civil War which caused to end slavery. He made a great Commander and President.
The second President I picked was John F. Kennedy, the 35th President from 1961 to 1963. He took part in the cause of equal amount of rights and in 1960 he was the first ballot nominee for president. The best thing that makes him President is that he put his life at risk from saving survivors of World War II and brought them to safety.
The third President I picked was James Madison, the 5th [4th] President from 1809 to 1817. Also known as “The Father Of The Constitution.” He played the lead role in the Constitutional Convention; in his first year of running President he prohibited Great Britain and France. He also voted to Continental Congress.
The last President I picked was James Monroe, the 5th President from 1817 to 1825. He fought in the Continental army as a soldier with distinction. He also destroyed slavery in Missouri which allowed him to amend a bill.
Those were all the Presidents I chose to go on Mount Rushmore, Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, James Madison and James Monroe.