7th Grade Winner - George Washington

Great job Tanner! This was a well-researched, well thought out essay, and well worth the $100 prize! Although I have heard George Washinton was really intimidating, I'd like to meet him too. Kylie

Tanner H
WVMS 7TH

George Washington, A True Hero

If I could meet anyone in the world from any country in any time period, George Washington, the father of our country, is the person I would most want to meet. He led our country to victory in the Revolutionary War and he asked for no pay. He served as the first president of the United States and set the standard for all the rest of the presidents. He left his beloved plantation behind for many years to serve his country.

He was brave, courteous, and kind. He even wrote some standards about what a well-mannered gentleman should do. For example, one of his rules was “show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy.” Another one is “Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.” These show that he had great respect for others. One of my favorite of his rules is “When a man does all he can, though it succeed not well, blame not him that did it.”

He also treated his slaves with respect and kindness (unlike some people at that time). He arranged for his slaves to be freed when he died. He was a great American, and I look up to him. He was smart and tactical and he was determined. On Christmas day he led his troops to attack the Hessians (German troops hired by the British to fight for them). They crossed icy rivers and treacherous, snow covered land. Some of his troops didn’t even have shoes and had to wrap their feet with cloth. Yet George Washington and his troops pressed forward and completely took them by surprise. Some of the Hessians didn’t even have their pants on. He conquered them quickly and few escaped. He led our country to victory during the last battle of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of York Town. He got the French to help him with that battle.

George Washington was very smart. In fact, he became the first American president. He won with every vote. He was a true hero. He was well respected by almost everybody both in the Revolutionary War and as the first President of the United States. It would be great to meet George Washington.

I would want George Washington to feel comfortable so I would insist that we meet at Mount Vernon. It was his home and I am sure he would be most comfortable there. He always loved to go there. He used to farm on Mount Vernon. I think George Washington would like my choice. His mansion on Mount Vernon had twenty rooms and was 2 ½ stories tall. It was made of wood. That is a pretty impressive house especially for that day.

Mount Vernon got its name from his half-brother’s commander. He loved and respected his half-brother, Lawrence, who later died of tuberculosis. He tried to move to a warmer climate to improve his health, but he died anyway. Lawrence had a commander in the British army and his title was Admiral Edward Vernon. That is where Mount Vernon got its name.

The landscaping at Mount Vernon is also beautiful. The estate covers about 502 acres. It is covered by green lawn, flowers and trees. George Washington, himself, planted a majority of the trees. So he put lots of hard work and effort into his home and property and his farm.

The first thing I would ask George Washington would be political advice. In a few years I will be voting and I want to make the right choices. I am sure he would give good advice because he was the first president and he helped get this county get started. He knows and understands the constitution and the principles that our country was founded on. He knows why he fought so hard for these things. I am sure he would give me good advice because so many brave lives were lost in starting our government and the defense of our country. For this reason, I can’t afford to make a mistake in how I vote.

Another of my many questions would be what his policy would be on when we should go to war. Should we only go to war in the defense of our country? Should we help other countries or allies out? Should we help small countries who cannot defend themselves and are getting conquered? Should we help rebellions against a bad government, like the French helped us? Or should we do none of these, and do you have a different suggestion?

I would want like George Washington to know how his life changed the world. I would show him a map of the United States. This would show him what America has become because of what he started. I also think he would be interested in seeing Mount Rushmore where his face is carved in the rock along with other great presidents. I would also like to show him the Washington Monument to tell of the great respect and love that people have for him and for all that he has done for our country. I would like him to meet the current President of the United States so he could give President Obama some advice. I would like to show him that many of his policies are still in place, like a president serving only two terms. There is still a president’s cabinet, which he started.

Most of all, I would like to thank George Washington for all of the great service he gave to start our country. I think that sometimes we don’t realize what George Washington and our other forefathers sacrificed to start this great country where we can live without fear of the government or mistreatment by them. So when you think about hero, remember George Washington, a true hero.