These students have the 'write' stuff

These are the winning essays submitted by sixth- through eighth-graders throughout Kootenai County. The annual patriotic essay contest is sponsored by Graham Crutchfield and the Knights of Columbus.

FIRST PLACE

James K. Polk

By Hunter Hawkins

7th Grade student of

Scott Traveres, Woodland Middle School

President. Speaker of the House. Governor. Military Officer. Lawyer. James K Polk was all of these and more. James K Polk's contribution to the future of the United States is impressive despite a lack of recognition. James Polk believed that the country was destined to expand from coast to coast and did what was necessary to make it happen.

James was born November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina near present day Pineville. James was the first child to be born in his family. His dad was Samuel Polk and him mom was Jane Polk. They lived on a small farm, where James learned about hard work and dedication. These traits would carry him on to great success at almost everything he tried. In 1806 his family moved to Tennessee, where his father began a prosperous land business. James went on to college where he graduated from the University of North Carolina with honors in 1818. He went on to study law and was admitted to the state bar in 1820. From this point on is where future President Polk would show what a great man he was. Popular with the troops who served under him as a Colonel, he became known for his ability to speak and for keeping his word.

James Polk went on to be the Speaker of the House and Governor of Tennessee. In 1844 James went to the Democratic national convention hoping to be picked as a Vice Presidential Nominee. He had great support from his long time supporter President Andrew Jackson, who also favored the westward expansion of the United States. Much to his surprise, Polk was nominated as the Democratic Presidential candidate. Polk was clear that he would annex Texas and would make the Oregon Country a part of the United States. Besides the expansion to the west, James Polk was also responsible for some key economic reforms. They included the establishment of an independent federal treasury and the lowering of tariffs.

If James Polk had not become President then it would be possible that present day Americans would not be able to live in many western states. They include Washington, Oregon, Idaho and parts of Montana and Wyoming. Present day Idahoans could be citizens of Great Britain and not America. With a government centered thousands of miles away, it is tough to tell if Idaho would even be a priority. My family owes a debt of gratitude to President Polk for his vision of a coast to coast America.

James Polk is an underappreciated President, especially by those who live in the Pacific Northwest and Texas. He was a hard working dedicated man who is admired by those that learn more about him. President Harry Truman said about Polk "A great president. Said what he intended to do and did it." Idahoans owe him thanks for securing the best place in America to live.

SECOND PLACE

James K. Polk

By Jacklyn Callihan

6th grade student of

Mrs. Larsen, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy

January 12, 1845

Just like that wretched Andrew Jackson who thought he was the king of the world when he made my people and I walk the Trail of Tears, James K. Polk thinks he is the king of the world by murdering other Native Americans with the Manifest Destiny. We lost over 4,000 people to the Trail of Tears and now others have to go through what we went through. I hate these types of presidents.

If I had a voice in the government I would certainly, without hesitation have Polk impeached. He is treating Native Americans, who were there first, horrible. I was treated horribly when I was forced from the southeastern states to the Oklahoma Territory.

I wonder how much more treacherous or how much easier their journey will be if they are moved? Where will they be moved to? How long will their journey take? What if they are placed here? What will happen to us? Will we have to pass on another horrible memory to our future generations? If we do have to, I know I will stand up and fight for what is right.

December 18, 1845

I have had various visions and now I have had a detailed elaborate dream about the future generations. My dream was about my great, great, great, great granddaughter, Jacklyn Callihan. She will live in the northwestern states, the ones Polk wants to add to the United States. She will live there with freedom. Everything that's happening now is happening for a reason. I guess we will have to pay the price for freedom for our future generations. Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk think they are the kings of the world, but truthfully the name Avani, my name, means King of the World. I am willing to make any and all sacrifices for my great, great, great, great granddaughter. Even if it means I will die, or if I have to walk another Trail of Tears, I am willing to do anything to prove Native Americans are just like everyone else and cannot be treated like animals.

THIRD PLACE

James K. Polk

By Jonathan Yake

8th Grade student of

Mrs. Baker, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy

A dreamer, schemer, and leader bred, James Knox Polk was one of the greatest Americans that the United States had ever seen. He was a true man of this North Carolina state and made his people proud. In fact, if it weren't for him, my family might be paying Canadian taxes instead of Idaho taxes. He has done many things for my family indirectly that have proven to be one of the greatest feats accomplished by an American-born leader. He not only did the best for his time, he also left great things for Americans to come.

Polk was a studious and intellectual individual, proving as much when he graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina in 1818. The former tar heeler then left for Tennessee, where he became good friends with Andrew Jackson. He was an advisor of Jackson's and helped him make some key decisions that landed Jackson on the $20 bill. When Polk ran for president, it was his promise of new lands opened up to the American people that landed him a place in the White House.

The big problem with getting new territory was the original owners. The British, the original owners of the North and vast amounts of Canada, did not want the Americans onto their hard-fought soil. Polk sent ambassadors over to Britain anyway to attempt to make a deal. Finally, after much negotiation with the British Parliament, the border was finally set at forty-nine degrees North latitude (and we love to ski at the that resort), with the exception of the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. It was because of President Polk that our family can enjoy watching the orcas swim off the San Juan Islands without having a Mountie ask us if we have anything to declare.

Texas through all of the negotiations as well as a small war, then the Lone-Star state would belong to Mexico, leaving Coeur d'Alene without its new and beloved Texas Roadhouse; where you get decent prices on generous portions. Also, a TV series called: "Walker, Mexican Ranger," just doesn't sound catchy and would have deprived countless generations of middle school students of the Chuck Norris jokes they so thoroughly enjoy. Along with Texas came California, where our family spent last Spring Break at the "Happiest Place on Earth."

President Polk spent his entire term in office just to make it so that we had a place to raise our children for upcoming years. He might not have reached the fifty-fourth parallel, but he still got great land at a seal of a deal. He proved that the University of North Carolina didn't just produce basketball titles (and Michael Jordan); UNC paved the way of great politicians and innovators as well.