November 23, 2005

Essay earns high marks

Brendon McKeon wins state award for tribute to veterans

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

      Declaring that veterans transcend politics, Brendon McKeon paid tribute to their 'willingness to sacrifice everything' for America.
      The senior at Elk Rapids High School penned a 481-word essay last spring for the AMVETS Americanism Essay Contest for Michigan. After winning the local and regional contests for his grade, he took first place honors in June at the state level.
      McKeon's thesis, arguments and conclusion revolve around his assertion that fighting for the United States is not a political act for the men and women in the armed forces. Nor should the Republican and Democratic parties take for granted individual or groups of veterans by co-opting their sacrifices to political ends.
      Weaving his thoughts around the nationwide essay contest's theme of "What do veterans mean to me," McKeon held forth on a subject he felt passionate about.
      "Ultimately, the true meaning of a veteran is their willingness to sacrifice everything for the well being of the nation as a whole," McKeon wrote in his final paragraph. "Veterans are better than the portrayal they receive from either of the political parties, because in the end they are not committed to a political party, but to America. They show awesome patriotism by risking their lives and setting aside their ideals and priorities for the defense of our country."
      The AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 114 of Elk Rapids sponsored the local event for 9-12th grade students, coordinating with Elk Rapids High School English teacher Terri Reisig. AMVETS posts around the country hold the annual essay contest for students and the national organization chooses one topic a year for all participants. Different posts sponsor either some or all grades and complete the local contests by March.
      "Our Elk Rapids AMVETS only sponsor grades 9-12 but statewide and nationwide, students in grades K-12 can participate," said Maribeth Wescott, treasurer of Post 114. "They have what they call a flag-drawing contest for younger students and older grades have an essay."
      McKeon, the son of David and Debbie McKeon of Williamsburg, received a flag, savings bond, pin and certificate for his winning work. His essay was also submitted to the national contest with first place winners from all states, but did not place there.
      All Michigan first-place winners read their papers at this year's AMVETS state convention held in Midland in June. The state convention also held a reception for these students, their families and guests.
      "I was definitely surprised to win," said McKeon, who is also a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. "At the local level, I wasn't expecting it but at least I could understand it. But at the state level, I was like, 'Wow!'¡"
      An experienced writer who said 500 words is short for him, McKeon wrote last summer for the new Elk Rapids News and is part of his school's Writing Center. This small class includes 8-10 students this semester who edit and critique the writing assignments of other students at the school.
      In addition to being on his school's tennis, soccer and ski racing teams, McKeon is also a top debater at the school. He won first speaker overall and helped the Elk Rapids debate team place first in a regional competition last week held at Central High School. Not to mention his participation in Elk Rapids High School's chamber choir, musicals and band.
      "My schedule is packed from morning to night," said McKeon, who plays piano, trombone and studies voice.
      Confident, well traveled and ambitious, McKeon plans to study economics, finance and languages next year, with his top three university choices being Harvard, the University of Chicago and New York University. He has also been accepted by the University of Michigan.
      Fluent in Spanish because his family lived in Costa Rica during his sophomore year, he plans to study Chinese in college as well. Because his mother's career in the arts field includes international travel, McKeon has trekked all through Central and South America, South Africa, Australia, Italy and the Soviet Union.
      His much-stamped passport dates to infancy and his travels spawned a curiosity about the world, it's people and languages.
      "Language is definitely one of the most interesting things to me, I really like literature and words in general," said McKeon. "I really enjoy communication."