Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy
By Rebecca Roach
Grove School, Shawnee
Eighth Grade

The innocent mind of a child;
So easily molded, sculpted, shaped.
The consistency of play dough,
Other thoughts, beliefs erased.

A brand new batch of youngsters,
A new start, a clean slate.
Fill their heads with knowledge;
With something they can understandably relate.

Democracy-the connotation;
Power to the people, freedom rings
Equality and justice for all is what Democracy means.
This powerful form of government
Is the necessary key
To unlock the many doors to golden opportunities.

To give the young such a powerful tool
Would be to exceed lessons taught in school.
Each child can make a noticeable difference,
Every role in society not at all miniscule.

In the hands of little ones
Lies the future of this great nation.
The responsibility passed down from
Generation to generation.
All of these elements form a single equation,
Which will determine the durability
Of the American Foundation.