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from Amber Hoagland’s winning essay…

“As Americans, we share the responsibility to educate ourselves about the government, culture, and politics of our country. Of equal importance, however, is educating ourselves as human beings inhabiting the planet Earth about the international world…

In today’s world, societies are extremely different from one another.  The ethics, values, and overall cultural experiences of daily life are so varied, that we simply cannot group the entire world as one thriving civilization.  In order to maintain global order and peace, it is our responsibility to understand this concept and to educate ourselves about our foreign brothers.  After all, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put, “if we are to survive this global neighborhood, we must learn to live together.”

Amber donates to and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Building A Better World Scholarship.  She evaluates essays and helps to select winning recipients.  In 2010 she along with Jordan Holter announced the winners at the Oakridge High School Awards assembly.

from Nick’s winning essay…

“For many centuries, the religion of Islam has contained five separate pillars of faith.  One very important pillar involves a pilgrimage to Mecca, which is the center of the Islamic religion.  This is just one example of how important travel and something that someone is passionate about come together.  I believe to be a dedicated pilot, in order for me to expand my passion for flight; it is required for me to make my own pilgrimage to Kill Devil Hills in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the birthplace of the powered flight…

I have also decided that I am going to fly myself there.  You can’t go to a museum of flight by car!  You have to fly in and experience it just as the Wright Brothers did a century ago.  I have calculated the total distance from Muskegon County Airport (KMKG) to First Flight Airport (KFFA) to be about 720 nautical miles  (828 statue miles).  I will take a direct flight to the airport and have planned a landing in Richmond, Virginia for refueling along the way.”

In 2005 Nick Waldo flew solo to Kill Devil Hills in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the birthplace of powered flight.

from D’Licia’s winning essay…

“It is important that we learn as much as possible about other countries and cultures.  As time goes by, most cultures and countries are advancing, becoming more modern.  They are getting farther away from the history that made them what they are today.  We must never forget our history because our history is what makes the world what it is now.  We have learned from the mistakes, and we must continue to do so.  In order to get the full effect, one must travel to other places outside of their communities…

Travel is very important.  What you see on t.v. or read about in textbooks is nothing compared to the actual situation. All you have to have is a destiny and you can reach it.  Traveling opens your eyes and gives you a greater appreciation of those around you.  It gives you a greater appreciation of the world, its animals, and the people living in it.  You can learn so much from just one trip outside of the state you live in, just think of what you can learn outside of this country.  Travel is important for change.  When you see exactly what is going on in the world, you more likely will want to help.”