Poster Contest Winners
Abby Wood
3rd Grade - Belgrade Central School, Belgrade
Rowan Keller
4th Grade - Holy Cross School, South Portland
Constitution Essay Winner
Damon Wilson
7th Grade - Windsor Elementary School
"The Right To Bear Arms: The Bond"
Mainers reliance on guns is rooted in our past, dating all the way back to when European settlers first stepped foot on Maine soil. During those times, around the 1600s, Mainers relied on guns for a variety of reasons such as putting a meal on the table and protection against enemies. Nevertheless, guns are still a necessity for many Mainers today are our right to own and carry thanks to the Maine Constitution. While there is much controversy revolving around Section Sixteen of Article One, the right to keep and bear arms, many don’t perceive all that guns provide for us. Some of the immense things guns provide for us are, protection, animal population control, a meal on the table, and lastly, sport.
Initially, when the general population hears about guns, they most likely recognize the firearm as being associated with wrong-doing. Yet, what some don’t take into account is how much guns actually protect us. On the other hand, I can understand why some might call for tighter gun restriction. However, this would only make it harder for the general population to obtain firearms not the criminals. Moreover, studies show that many gun-owners state owning a firearm makes them feel safer. Secondly, from August 1999 to February 2013 the main reason people buy guns has shifted from hunting to protection. Accordingly, in August 1999 forty-nine percent of gun owners bought their firearm for hunting. However, in February 2013 gun owners revealed that the reason of purchase for their firearm was protection. In addition, studies show that 40.5 percent of Mainers own guns. Thus proving that guns are a vital piece of many Mainers lives.
Although many consider animal population control a cliché, it’s a widespread topic for a reason. In fact more than 10,800 Maine black bear permits were sold in 2013. However, only twenty-six percent (two-thousand eight hundred forty-five black bears) of the hunters succeeded in their expedition. The Maine bear harvest hasn’t been successful since 2005. Furthermore, it has been estimated by state biologists that the Maine bear population is around thirty thousand black bears. Thus in order to stabilize that population, an annual harvest would have to consist of around forty-five hundred black bears. With this in mind, it is effortless to make the conclusion that we need to seize the opportunity that The Maine Constitution gave us and continue to manage the wildlife population.
While many Mainers don’t take into account how much guns do for us, most of those that do, don’t realize how much guns do for the hungry. Hunters for the Hungry is an organization that accepts donations of wild game from hunters that don’t want it. They then process the meat and donate it to local food banks or homeless shelters. Moreover, if you kill a deer or catch a fish and donate to Hunters for the Hungry, they will try to put the meat in a food bank near your community.
Lastly, one of the main reasons why I feel so strongly about guns is for sport. One of the most memorable times I can remember with guns was with my dad and grampa. We were up at camp, and my dad was trying to get me to do target practice. I walked over to him and he plopped the rifle into my grip. I looked down at the firearm, hesitant at first. Until then I hadn’t really held a gun. Yet when I raised the rifle towards the target, I felt a rush. I closed my left eye, aiming with my right and pulled the trigger. I grazed the target. However, as I continued I steadily grew better. From that point on, I knew that guns were important to me. Although I’m not the experienced hunter my dad is, I still consider hunting with my dad a crucial part of my life.
On a final note, we have been graced with so many things from Section Sixteen of Article One of The Maine Constitution. Personally, however, Amendment Sixteen also gave my dad and me something to bond and connect with. So thank you Maine Constitution for giving me the chance to bond with my dad.
Work Cited
Maine Legislature Law Information, legislature.maine.gov/ros/Lawsofmaine/#Const.
Cindycampbell. “Maine Hunters For the Hungry Wants Donations.” Q 106.5, 30 Oct 2015,
q1065.fm/hunters-can-donate-some-or-all-of-their-wild-game-to-feed-maines-hungry/.
“Constitution, Maine.” Maine: An Encyclopedia, 26 Oct. 2011,
maineanencyclopedia.com/constitution-maine/.
“Constitution, Maine.” Maine: An Encyclopedia, 26 Oct.2011,
Maineanencyclopedia.com/constitution-maine/.
“Facts.” Maine Gun Safety Coalition, www.mainegunsafety.org/new-page/.
“Gun Ownership Statistics by Sate.” Demographic Data, 6 Sept. 2016, Demographicdata.org/facts-and-figures/gun-ownership-statistics/.
“Maine Constitution.” Ballotpedia, ballotpedia.org/Maine_Constitution.
The Importance of Voting and Democracy Essay
Teona Sok
12th Grade - Gorham HIgh School, Gorham
"Why Voting and Democracy is Important"
Living in a democracy is one of the greatest privileges in America. A demarcated government is founded on the voices of its citizens, which is special. Everyone has an opinion and with that, everyone is entitled to voice it through voting. To vote in a national election is important because you could potentially be voting for YOUR next president; someone who would be representing a nation. Local elections are important to participate in as well. As there are ballots with statutes that could affect your livelihoods right from your own backyard. Voting in different elections is critical whether each be local or national. Unfortunately there still are people who don’t exercise their right to vote in elections.
Specifically with millennials, there is a stigma that “they don’t understand or care too much for our government.” That may be the case for some, however it is imperative as millennials to engage and act in elections and vote. Young voters account for roughly half of the voting population. This makes millennials powerful with their influence in America. One must know their rights and the laws that are applied to everyday life. For example, health care reform, college tuition reform and tax wages are all presented in campaigns and target a younger audience. In turn, these laws are here to protect, restrict and regulate. To know these statutes it will evidently benefit your life, personally. To vote as a millennial is crucial because millennials make up approximately one-third of eligible voters. This means that the impact this group can have is ample in today’s society. Millennials have the potential to sway any major election. Because of how large this group is, politicians will often spend time trying to influence their choices to obtain their support.
Young voters are a widely diverse group and in any society that can be an advantage. To be a non-white millennial in today’s society, it’s especially imperative to voice your opinion and vote within your communities. In 2014, MTV Strategic Insights conducted a national report. This report is composed of racial bias amongst the races within millennials and approximately 3,000 people from 14 to 24 years old were surveyed. The majority of millennials say they oppose racial bias. With this mentality accommodated with the desire to vote to benefit a community, innovation and change can be made.
Amongst millennials there is also a common theme within majority of you: liberal attributes. Being young in today’s society means differing from the ideologies of the late Baby Boomers. This is a new era thus come new ideologies. According to certain studies, millennials will show a more “liberal attitude”. With this mentality usually comes an agreement of same-sex marriage, zero racial bias, and usually tend to work more with technology rationalism etc. These principals tend to make its way onto ballots. Therefore, if a majority of young millennials vote there could be a considerable contribution towards progression which will in turn benefit society and aspire toward equality.
A demarcated government encourages the act of equality within diversity. As different ideas and perspectives expands a society; room for progression is recognized. Those who take part in the responsibility that is their government and community are those who are shaping lives with each policy that is debated upon. By voting for the future of many is important because it’ll also affect yourself as well. Thus, it’s imperative to make your opinion official by exercising for given right to govern.
Being a part of a democracy means one will rightfully be able to voice their opinions through voting. This form of government is significant because it encourages the freedom of the people. It’ll allow for boundaries and limitations to be made for the American Government. This means people serving in government will not have absolute power. To prevent politicians from abusing power, it is the community who will participate in elections and vote on each statute. Democracy is an equitable approach as it seems to give light to everyone’s views; whether they be of the minority or majority.
In conclusion, there are many reasons as to why voting and democracy is important. Voting ensures the public’s lawful rights to change and innovate their government. In doing so, participating in a democracy will prevent each branch of government along with government officials to obtain and abuse power against the system. In turn, voting will ultimately enhance a society’s performance in executing a government system that advocates for all people and their rights under the constitution.