Monday, June 24, 2013

Teen Essay Contest 2013: English Essay

The 2nd Place Winner of Middle School Group
Jaysen Shi
8th Grade - Herbert Hoover Middle school
Topic: "Building Leadership: Embracing Cultural Values and Inclusion"

The United States of America is one of the most developed and productive countries in the world. Why? Because the U.S. has been embracing cultural values and inclusions. The U.S. is a country full of immigrants. Since many different races of people live there, many different cultures and values have been brought to the country. America grew not just because of its industrial development but also because it valued creativity and diverse culture. There are some examples we can see in all areas of our life: technology and entertainment.
A great example is the Chinese American actor Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was a world-famous martial artist, martial arts instructor, filmmaker, and actor. He worked extremely hard to master Kung fu and learn English. Bruce Lee contributed greatly to America in many ways. He improved relations between America and Hong Kong while he traveled back and forth making his movies. He helped to reduce racism towards Asian Americans. Bruce Lee also spread Chinese culture when he made his movies. After his movies came out, everyone wanted to learn Kung fu. Bruce Lee set a great leadership example for Asian Americans by embracing American culture and contributing to the society.

Amy Tan is a Chinese American writer that wrote often about Chinese children and their parents. She is a successful writer whose books spent many months on the New York Times best selling list. Amy Tan contributed to American literature by writing about her cultural background.
Steven Chu is an Asian American physicist who was the 12th United States Secretary. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics, because he found a way to cool and trap atoms with laser light. He used to be a professor of physics at UC Berkeley and Stanford. Steven Chu contributed greatly to world technology and science.

Another good example is Jeremy Lin, the first Chinese American to ever play in the NBA. Jeremy Lin led the New York Knicks on a winning streak in February 2012. It was known globally as “Linsanity”. Later, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he continued his career. Lin publicly contributed his success to his religion, Christianity. He embraced western culture and values. He is a great role model for young Asian Americans everywhere. He also fought the stereotype that Asians can't play sports well.
Another great figure was world leader Mahatma Ghandi. Ghandi led India to independence and inspired movements of nonviolence. He worked to stop the carnage between Hindus and Muslims. Ghandi is also known for a civil-rights movement in South America. His non-violent movement is one form of inclusion of his own culture and other philosophies.

All of these amazing people show that people can build leadership by embracing cultural values and inclusions. They paved the path for our futures. As a result, the United States will continue to be one of the most developed and productive countries in the world. 
Name: Jaysen Shi
School : Herbert Hoover Middle School, 8th grade

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