ASHTON — Students at nearby area schools had the opportunity to participate in the Elks Essay Contest. The subject was “The American Dream – What Is It?”

Lexi Ann Meurer, of Ashton, was the winner of the fifth grade level. She is a student at Ashton-Franklin Center Middle School in Franklin Grove.

Lexi’s essay reads:

“The American Dream”

So what is the American dream? I think that the American Dream is to be free. Since I’m in fifth-grade I’ve been learning about our American history and much of that history makes me think how lucky we are to be Americans.

Since I’ve learned some of America’s history, I now know that in the past the king controlled everything in the people’s lives, which is why they went looking for a better life. I’ve learned from reading that many people sacrificed a lot for America’s freedom. They sacrificed their lives, food, their homes for soldiers, and their time to fight for our country’s freedom. Real freedom to me meant that we get to make our own rules, control our own lives and work hard to receive more money.

I am beginning to realize that many kids my age and some grown-ups don’t think much of our country’s freedom. If I could go to the past I would thank all of those people who helped make our country such a great one. I think America is the best country because we have more freedoms than other countries.

To conclude, I hope that I can keep fighting to help our country so we are able to keep the freedom we have now, just like the people in the past fought for our freedom. That’s what I think will keep the American dream alive.

Brooke Bailey, of Dixon, won the seventh-eighth grade contest.

The winning essays will be entered into the state contest for judging. The winners of the state contest will be announced and their awards will be presented in Springfield in May.

Meurer is the daughter of Dave and Kelly Meurer.