OSMOND — The Osmond High School junior class recently participated in the 2025 Voice of Democracy essay contest.
The contest was sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838 and its Auxiliary. Serving as co- chairpersons for the contest were Dallas Steckelberg and Keri Schultze.
The 2025-26 theme was “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" Contestants were asked to prepare a three- to five- minute speech, which was submitted by audio for judging.
Winning the local contest was Addison Miller, daughter of Monty and Cindy Miller. Second-place honors went to Ashlyn Spangler, daughter of Alisha Thilliander. Third place was awarded to Donovan Heiman, son of Dan and Francis Heiman.
Each of the top three winners received a cash prize and a medal.
Addison earned the right to compete at the district level. State and national contests are also held.
The following are the Voice of Democracy essays. ————— How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support For Our Country?
(By Addison Miller, 2025 Voice of Democracy Essay Contest Winner) Patriotism is very important to our country. Patriotism shows a sense of love and devotion to our country. It is important to show patriotism and support for our country each and every day. There are many ways to show patriotism to our country. The question is, how are you showing pa- triotism and support for our country? Today, I will start off by talking to you about what patriotism is, followed by a few ways you can show patriotism, and then I will talk to you about why showing patriotism and support for our country is important. Patriotism is the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for your country. You can show patriotism for your country in many ways. These ways can range from taking responsibility for your actions to following rules and laws to encouraging fairness in group decisions.
Now that you know what patriotism is and that it can be shown in many ways, let’s talk about ways you can show patriotism and support for our country. One way to show patriotism is through a personal action approach.
Examples of this are volunteering, helping your community, and following the law. You can volunteer by cleaning up trash on the street or helping at a food bank. Volunteering helps show that you care about and support our country and the people around you. Following the law shows that you have support and respect for your country and the decisions that it makes.
Now that you know how you can show patriotism through a personal action approach, let’s talk about how you can show patriotism through a community service approach. Ways you can show patriotism through a community service approach are by supporting veterans, local charities, and national causes. You can support a veteran by thanking them for their service or asking them about their years of service and listening to them as they talk about it. You can support local charities by donating things like food, clothes, and other necessities needed in everyday life. Since you now know how to show patriotism through a community service approach, let’s talk about how you can show patriotism through a symbolic approach. A symbolic approach to show patriotism would be to respect the United States flag. There are many ways to respect the United States flag. One example of this is standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem.
Another example is picking up a flag if you see that it has fallen on the ground. These are just two examples of the many ways you can respect the United States flag as a symbolic expression of patriotism. It is important to show pa triotism. Showing patriotism shows your support for the brave men and women who have served our country.
It shows them that you are grateful for their hard work and dedication.
Today we talked about patriotism. We started off by talking about what patriotism is. We then talked about ways to show patriotism and support for our country. Last but not least, we talked about why show- ing patriotism is important. I challenge you to think about how you can show patriotism to our country, and then go and do it.
How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support For Our Country?
(By Ashlyn Spangler, Voice of Democracy Second Place)
Every day, Americans are allowed to demonstrate their patriotism in both small and significant ways. While many think of patriotism as bold gestures like waving flags or serving in the military, the truth is that support for our country can be expressed through everyday actions. I often ask myself: how can I, as an
individual, make a meaningful contri- bution to my country? How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country? This question makes me reflect not only on what I already do, but what more I could be doing. Can patriotism exist in simple actions, and how can those actions build a
stronger nation? One of the ways I show patriotism
is by staying informed and involved in civic life. I make an effort to under stand what is happening in the world, especially in our country, so that I can make educated decisions when I am old enough to vote. I believe that caring about the decisions being made by elected leaders is a powerful way to show support. A citizen who is engaged and informed is much better prepared to defend and support democratic values. Freedom is not guaranteed — it depends on the participation of responsible citizens. Another important way I show pa triotism is through respect — respect for the people who serve, the history of our nation, and the principles that guide our democracy. My uncle served in the United States Marine Corps, and his stories have helped me understand the sacrifice and dis cipline involved in military service.
He always emphasized that wearing the uniform is not about politics; it is about protecting the Constitution and the people of this country. He once told me that patriotism is not about blind loyalty, but about making the country better for the next generation. I honor his service and those like him by showing respect to veterans, standing during the national anthem, and learning about the sacrifices made in our country’s past.
Education is also a form of pa- triotism. I take my studies seriously
because I understand that an educated citizenry is essential to a strong de - mocracy. When I learn about U.S. his tory, government, or even science and math, I know I am preparing myself to contribute positively to our country’s future. Many people around the world do not have the same access to edu- cation that we do, and I see it as my responsibility to take full advantage of that opportunity.
Lastly, I try to support my com munity. Volunteering at local events, helping neighbors, and being kind to others are ways I contribute to a better society. Patriotism is not only about honoring the flag - it is about improving the lives of the people the flag represents. When I show kind ness and stand up for what is right, I am promoting the values that make this country strong: freedom, justice, and equality.
Patriotism does not always look the same for everyone. Some show it through service, some through activism, and some through education and respect. For me, it is a combination of actions — both big and small — that reflect my love and appreciation for the United States. I believe that being a patriot means more than just loving your country — it means wanting it to be the best it can be. When we all do our part, whether by serving in the military, voting, or simply helping a neighbor, we create a nation that lives up to its ideals.
How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support For Our Country?
(By Donovan Heiman, Voice of Democracy Second Place)
The air in the restaurant was hot and humid. I had started my clos - ing duties since we closed in fifteen minutes. My feet hurt from hours of standing, and the smell of fryer oil clung to my clothes. My back was tense, my patience was thin, and I was exhausted. It was the part of my shift where I count down the minutes until we closed. I remember rubbing my thumb over a stain on my jeans, wishing I could fast forward to the moment I clock out.
I was tired in a way that made it hard to think. The kind of exhaustion where you stop checking the clock because
time seems to have stopped anyway.
All I wanted to do was clock out, get my tips, and go home. That is when I heard the door open and a family walked in. My stomach dropped, I knew exactly what this meant. More dirty dishes. More wiping. More time
standing when I just wanted to sit. I flashed them a smile, but it prob - ably showed more exhaustion than anything else. When I reached their table, I noticed the grandma first. She took her time and grabbed the chair to steady herself. She was constantly apologizing for her late arrival even when nobody had mentioned a word that could have made her feel that way. There was a slight tremor in her voice every time she spoke. She expressed her gratitude for every - thing. She expressed her gratitude for things that I barely realized I was doing. Somewhere In the middle of my frustration and her thankfulness, there was a shift in me that softened.
I could sense it. My annoyance at their entrance faded away. It did not vanish, but instead it transformed. I came to the realization that she was trying her best. And so was I.
During my drive home, it hit me. Supporting my country does not necessarily mean presenting grand gestures or witnessing historical moments. At times, it is the way we treat one another during quiet nights when nobody is watching. It survives in small acts of patience, making small choices to be decent when life gets difficult, and in caring for people who may never know about us.Although I cannot vote yet, I can still play my part in the world around me. I have the choice of being kind when I am exhausted. I have the choice of being responsible when I feel overloaded. I have the choice of making the community feel a little more secure for the people who live in it with me. That night reminded me that patriotism is not perfect. It starts with the way I move around in the places I live and the way I treat the people that I encounter. That is how I demonstrate patriotism. Through small moments that create a stronger and kinder place for all of us.
