2000 Mount Rushmore
International Writing Contest
Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln:
Presidents with Visions for America

If they could speak today,
what might they say?
Grades K-4 Winners
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Kindergarten

A little talk with...

If the Mt. Rushmore Presidents were alive, they would say: "Can I see your president?"
Nicole Waibel, Tucson Christian School, Tucson AZ

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Grades 1-2: No entries

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Third Grade

George Washington

George Washington would say "I think everyone deserves respect and all people should be kind to one another. I respect my property and so should you. I will never tell a lie. It does not matter who you are and if you are black or white it matters what is in the inside not the outside and I think it is fair to admit trouble on yourself if it was really true and don't blame it on other people.

Aubry Kadas, 3rd grade, Saturn Elem., Cocoa, FL, USA

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A Presidential Argument

Jefferson: Hey, Lincoln! You're a good president, but I'm better.

Lincoln: The only reason you think you are better is because you did the Declaration of Indepdence and the Lousiana Purchase. Well, I lived in a log cabin and had the Civil War in which I won.

Washington: Cool it guys! We were all good presidents, but I'm the best. Because I crossed the Delaware, was the first president and I fought in the Revolutionary War. Plus they named a state after me.

Lincoln: So what Washington, Jefferson and I have capitals named after us.

Roosevelt: Hey guys you are forgetting me.

Lincoln: Oh, sorry. But you are nothing.

Roosevelt: Excuse me. I'm the one that did the Panama Canal.

Washington: Let's stop fighting. Don't you guys see we said and did different things that made us famous.

Josh Wolfe, Homeschool, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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Fourth Grade

AMERICA 2000 - Roosevelt

UP HERE ON MOUNT RUSHMORE
WITH MY FRIENDS TOM, GEORGE AND ABE.
I LIKE TO LOOK OUT
ON ALL THE PROGRESS YOU'VE MADE.
IT'S A NEW MILLENIUM
AND NEW CENTURY TO BE SURE.
I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU WORKING
TO PRESERVE OUR GREAT OUTDOORS.

AMERICA STAY BEAUTIFUL,
DON'T SELL OUT FOR THE MONEY.
IF YOU TRADE OUR NATURAL WONDERS
THE FUTURE WON'T BE SUNNY.
TECHNOLOGY IS TERRIFIC
NEW INVENTIONS BRING US PLEASURE.
BUT NO VIRTUAL GAME OR THEME PARK
CAN REPLACE A NATIONAL TREASURE.

REMEMBER THE GREAT BUFFALO
THAT ONCE ROAMED ON THE PLAINS.
NOW THEY'RE IN MUSEUMS
AND WHAT HAVE WE GAINED?
EXPLAIN IT TO ME NOW
IF YOU THINK YOU'RE REALLY CLEVER.
ONCE NATURE IS GONE
IT'S LOST FOREVER.

Brendan E. Kelley, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes' School, Alexandria, Virginia

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