Maine Constitution Essay Winners “Maine-The Way Life Should Be” Student Biddeford Middle School             In the history of this great state there have been many people who have left their mark. In the beginning there was one man who made success of this state possible. In 1820 when Maine’s people could finally claim their own identity as a result of the Missouri Compromise, this man’s voice had the ability to set this state on a path to greatness. Because of this man’s contribution and leadership, the Constitution of Maine was written, and Maine took its place as the 23 rd state to join the union. Who is this man? William A. King, the founder of Maine’s government. It was his pen that wrote Maine’s Constitution to follow in the footsteps of our U.S. Constitution. This man would become Maine’s first governor and set a standard of leadership that other Maine people could follow.             There has been a long line of governors for the state of Maine, who have given a part of themselves for the betterment of the state and its citizens. These governors have followed the example Governor William King had set for them. William King created the Constitution of Maine, modeled after the U.S. Constitution. The document begins with the words, “We the people”, which means it is Maine citizens who must govern themselves. It means we have the power to change our government for the better. Article I goes on to enforce the rights of Maine citizens. Maine citizens have unquestionable rights like freedom, safety, liberty and happiness. These rights have allowed Maine people to become great leaders, to speak their mind, and ensure freedom for all Maine citizens.             Maine citizens have used their freedoms to put into power leaders who have guided us and set decisions before us that will hopefully benefit the state as a whole. We have had teachers, farmers, soldier and surveyors; leaders in Maine who have gone on to become national figures. There have been leaders who have implemented social, agricultural, educational reform, who have had strong ideals, and have left their mark on the state of Maine. Articles II-VI deals with the qualifications of elected officials and the distribution of power. These individuals are to represent the people of Maine and must therefore meet the standards set forth in the constitution. Maine’s government is separated into three groups of powers, The Legislative Branch, The Executive Branch and The Judicial Branch. The Legislative Branch makes the laws. Maine and its people have the ability to set in place new laws that may somehow better its citizens. The Judicial Branch interprets the laws. The Judicial Branch is responsible for upholding the rights of Maine citizens and determining how each law should be read. The Executive Branch enforces the laws. The Executive Branch holds the power that enable the laws to work smoothly together in this state. It is in the Executive Branch that the governor resides. He or she holds office for four years and can repeat their term only once. Throughout Maine’s history there have been many governors who left their mark. Their names might not be recognizable to you, or have since been forgotten but they each have left a legacy for our state. Through governor William King’s hard work he gave Maine its’ own identity. Many men after him have each woven a new piece into the tapestry of Maine. One day I hope to join these people and leave a legacy for my state as well.             In 1827, Enoch Lincoln settled the Northeast boundary of the state and chose Augusta the home of the statehouse. In 1850, John Hubbard , established a reform school, an agricultural college, and a female college. He purchased all the lands in Maine that were still owned by Massachusetts. In 1857, Hannibal Hamlin, believed in the extinction of slavery, and went on to become Abraham Lincoln’s vice president, and a national figure. Taking Maine ’s values to the national level. In 1867, Joshua Chamberlain, a great and brave patriot fighting for the Union and an educator, proved to a nation the strength of Maine character. In 1921, Percival Baxter, a conservationist, donated thousands of protected acres of Maine. He kept hydro-electrical power in the state and founded Maine’s school for the deaf. Ina 1995, Angus King founded education reform with mandatory fingerprinting for teachers and personal laptops for each student. Currently, John Baldacci has founded a state funded health program, and supported civil rights laws preventing discrimination because of sexual orientation. These amazing men have helped every citizen have better more productive lives.             Article VII supports Maine’s military, however it is Article VIII that is most important to me. Article VIII requires Maine to support public education and to give loans for higher education. I am currently in public school and one day I hope to attend college. I want to achieve the goal of earning a great education. The article states that education is essential to the preservation of rights and liberties of Maine’s citizens. Mainers must understand and know their government if they are going to make significant changes for its betterment. I will need to know how our government works, if I am going to leave the legacy that I wish to leave.Articles IX  and X deal with other matters of government like electoral oaths, impeachment, taxation and other miscellaneous additional provisions; all there to help our government run smoothly.             I know that it is Main’s leaders and heroes who have made Maine’s Constitution work. It is the people of Maine who are our state treasures. These leaders have helped make this most important document hold strong. Our freedom comes from a constitution that was guilt strong and solid by great leaders. Without these people and our constitution our current way of life might not exist. I hope to follow their lead and keep our freedoms given to us by our Maine Constitution. Maine, also known as the Vacationland, a place where everyone wishes to be is a beautiful place in many ways. One day I hope to give back to Maine for all that it has given to me. I am proud to call Maine my home today and forever.

Importance of Voting and Democracy Essay Winner Importance of Voting and Democracy Student Perkins School             I am legally blind, have cerebral paly and will graduate with a high school diploma in June 2009.   This is my third year as a residential student at Perkins School for the Blind, where I am taught the significance of having an education, the importance of history, the strength of democracy and the value of my rights. I am eighteen years old and I legally have the right to vote.             I recently voted for the first time in my life in the November elections. It was great exercising my rights and adding my voice to those who would change the future of my state. Before I cast my vote, I think it is important to know what people stand up for and what the issues are. I value my Dad’s opinion, so I asked him about the different people who are funning for office and what they would do of they were elected. I listened to the news and read the papers. Finally, I completed an absentee ballot and mailed it in a few days before the election on November 7, 2006. It is important to find the right candidate, the one that will works for you as a United States Citizen. By voting I can be a part of important decisions. Being able to make choices is the value of freedom and what makes this country great. It is a system that works for all people, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard.             My school also recently held an assembly for the people who were running for governor in Massachusetts. They were invited to discuss what they would do to help people with disabilities. This is a great way for voters to get educated. His name was Deval Patrick and he actually went on to win the election and will become governor of Massachusetts. As a person with disabilities, I feel it is important to know where the candidates stand on issues regarding equal opportunities and the rights of all individuals. Every individual should realize how important it is to vote and have a say in their own future.             Voting is important to me because it helps the democratic government make laws that are fair and balanced for all people. I want to vote for someone who will protect my rights as an individual with disabilities. I want people elected in government that will work for all people who have disabilities and other people that face challenges in their lives. In our country, it is the people who make the laws. We are the ones who create the country we wish to live in. Every individual has a voice that should be heard. We should all take part in making this country great. I cherish my freedom and my right to vote. I believe in democracy, it is what this country was founded on.             Many heroes have fought and died for all of us to have the right to vote. This country has built a history in its struggle for freedom, equality, and rights for all. Brave people are fighting, as I write this, in Iraq continuing the struggle for freedom on a global level. Throughout the years, many have given their lives to ensure my freedoms, and protect my right to vote. I have been given the opportunity to change my country for the better because I have these freedoms. My Dad served in The Air Force. He helped protect the rights of all citizens like myself. I am very proud of him. He is one of the many veterans who have fought for freedom and democracy. He has influenced my life and shown me how proud of my freedom I should be. We should appreciate our right to vote and make changes.             Voting should be very important to everybody in the United States. We as United States citizens get to elect people who will truly make sure that democracy continues, and people are treated fairly. There is nothing more important that being free and able to participate in the growth of our country by voting. I feel everyone should do their part to keep this country great. By voting we can be sure to keep our freedom and our rights. I have pride in my right to vote and will continue to participate in every election, exercising my rights. I want to show my fellow citizens that I am proud to be an American citizen.