Local student wins essay contest

Hamline Midway fifth grader Claire Horsman recently won a regional essay contest for Minnesota and the Dakotas on the topic “Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.” The contest, sponsored by the American Immigration Council, intends to “inspire educators to bring U.S. Immigration history and lessons into their classrooms, and gives fifth graders the opportunity to explore America as a nation of immigrants.”

Horsman’s poem (below), titled “Immigration” was chosen as the winner from a pool of over 70 submissions. Horsman is a fifth grader at L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School.

“Immigration”

By Claire Horsman

It started with the Pilgrims

Sailing from far away

Looking for a new life

And the right to worship and pray

Welcomed and befriended

By the people of the land

“Indians”, they called them,

As they were given a helping hand.

Many others followed

With adventure in their hearts

A new country, with wealth and land,

And they could do their part.

It wasn’t always easy

To be away from home

They weren’t always treated well

And sometimes felt alone

My grandparents’ grandparents’ grandparents

Were immigrants too

They came from France and Ireland

Sailing the ocean blue.

They wanted their children’s children

To have a life so rich and free

I think they would be so happy

To see a girl like me

Who has friends from all around the world

And studies French in school

So many chances to learn from others —

America is cool!

I’m so glad my country is

A place where all can live

A place where all can freely worship,

Speak, and love, and give

Their talents and experience

To make this place so grand

I love the way the world has come

To make this a better land.

Immigration is a wonderful thing.

It makes me feel free, and smile bright

It makes me want to dance and sing

Through the day and through the night.

Thank you, everyone who comes

And melts in this great pot.

We welcome you and hope that you

Will love this place a lo