What does the Statue of Liberty mean to Americans and what does it say to the rest of the world?

Four students in the Carson City school district recently won $250 savings bonds for their winning essays to the school's board annual American Essay question: What does the Statue of Liberty mean to Americans and what does it say to the rest of the world?

School board trustees paid for the student's savings bonds with their stipends for serving.

by Rebecca Doyle, 10, a fifth-grade student at St. Teresa of Avila School

Webster's Dictionary defines the word liberty as "freedom or release from slavery, imprisonment, captivity or another form of arbitrary control."

The Statue of Liberty is one of our great symbols of freedom and justice. It was originally called "Liberty Enlightening the World." She holds a torch high in her right hand to represent heaven's rays shining all over the world. In her left arm she holds a tablet with the Declaration of Independence on it. The seven spokes of her crown represent the seven seas and seven continents. The broken chain at her feet represents the breaking of tyranny.

When immigrants to America sailed into New York harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty they believed they had come to a better place than the county they had left behind. They thought of opportunity. Opportunities to find new jobs, to make a living, to practice their religion freely. It was very emotional for them. They could have been fleeing from famine, the lack of work or education, not being able to practice their religion freely or a bad government in their home country. They came to American because they wanted freedom to speak, to vote and to practice their religion freely. They sought democracy and acceptance.

The Statue of Liberty reminds us today how our county became great through the efforts of these immigrants, who were "yearning to breathe free." Is it different for us today? We still want what these early travelers wanted. We still want what they came so far to find.

They were looking for equality, no matter what gender or skin color. They looked for better jobs to support their families and send for them if they were forced to stay behind. If Americans today were deprived of the rights to have freedom to think, speak, travel, practice their religion and vote, they would be very angry because American these days sometimes take these things for granted. Some Americans today have still left another country behind, but those who were born here have grown up with these rights for so long that sometime we don't stop to think about them.

When people in other parts of the world see the Statue of Liberty, some of them think like those earlier immigrants and see good. Others do not appreciate our freedom and rights and want to harm us.

Perhaps American citizens everywhere should look more frequently at the Statue of Liberty to remind them of how lucky we are and that we have things that other countries don't. Lady Liberty still lifts her lamp beside the golden door.

by Adam Peterson, 8, third-grade student Seeliger Elementary School

The Statue of Liberty was a present from the people of France to the people of America, as a token of friendship. It is also known as "Liberty Enlightening the World."

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hopes and dreams. I think that it represents freedom, loyalty, pride, opportunity and peace.

In America, we have freedom to do what we want. We have certain rights that other countries don't have. Americans are able to live wherever we want and have our own religion. People can say whatever they want. So many people migrated here because they wanted a better life.

Loyalty is treating America how it should be treated - not trashing it, supporting it, helping it. If people in America weren't loyal to it, then it probably wouldn't be a free country. Everybody has to support the country to keep it going.

I am proud to live in America because it's a free country. There are good schools to go to. You can go wherever you want whenever you want. It's a beautiful place that is gun to be in.

We have lots of opportunities in the United States. There are good jobs. We can vote and freely express our thoughts and ideas. We can learn about what we want and read any book we want.

Peace means harmony. There are no wars going on in America. Americans see that they need to keep the country going by getting long. Everybody has to contribute for the country to stand.

The Statue of Liberty and the torch represent a welcome to all people who come to America. It is truly an unforgettable sight - a symbol of all that is America. The inscription on the bottom of the statue says:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-lost to me

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

by Rebecca Gansberg, 13, Eighth-grader at Bethlehem Lutheran School

The Statue of Liberty is more than just some old statue, it is a symbol of America's freedom.

What the Statue of Liberty Means to Us

The Statue of Liberty was originally given the formal name Liberty Enlightening the World. At her feet are chains that have been broken through, which represent tyranny. On her crown, the seven spikes stand for the seven continents and the seven seas. In her right hand, the statue holds a burning torch that symbolizes liberty. In her left hand, the statue holds a tablet which is inscribed with the Roman numerals, July 4, 1776. This is the day that America declared its independence.

Why are all these things on the Statue of Liberty you ask? All these things have something in common. They all stand for important issues of the United States. World means that she is a statue telling everyone what America is all about. The broken chains at her feet stand for tyranny showing that America has hope and we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. The seven spokes on her crown represent the seven seas and continents reminding us how far we have come since we declared our independence. The burning torch that she holds represents liberty meaning we are now free; the bonds of resistance no longer hold us. She holds in her left hand a tablet which is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, the day that America declared her independence, reminding us of what we had to go through to get to today.

What the Statue of Liberty Says to the Rest of the World

Most of the world is not completely free like the United States. Most of these nations don't have a symbol of freedom like we do that says a lot about who they are and what they stand for. Living under something magnificent and wonderful like the Statue of Liberty makes you feel like you real have an important part in this world.

The Statue of Liberty tells the rest of the world that we are a free people and that we will protect that freedom, no matter what. It tells that that we are one of a kind and that we are pound of what we stand for. The Statue of Liberty says that we are on nation that will fight for what we want and are proud of what we had to do to get that freedom. It tells the rest of the world that the United States is not just made up of whites, or blacks, or one nationality, but a mix of all people and nations. The Statue of Liberty tells the rest of the world that anyone, and everyone is welcome here. It tells that that we are a fair county that is loyal to her people and will treat the people that live in the United States freely.

Knowing that you live in the United States where the Statue of Liberty is the symbol of freedom, makes all people feel safe and welcome.

by Nick Brothers, 18, Carson High School, a senior

As I gaze up and take in the site of our country's mother holding up a guiding light to all people, all self-worth and personal pride of past accomplishments diminish light into a dimunitive reality, leaving an empty space in my heart. Like a revelation from above, it was abruptly revealed to me: I am filled to the brim with a feeling of g reat belonging and love for a family, I realize, I'm a part of. My father, mother, grandparents, brothers and sisters were all welcomed by her at one point in time, a symbol of hope, an emblem of freedom, holding a position of strength, standing strong and firm. She is the uniting force in our family. She is our blood, the blood of freedom that all of us have the glorious blessing to feel pounding through out veins as we gazing upon her. Other countries don't' savor, for example, the taste of Thanksgiving dinner and the smell of our succulent liberty which fills every kitchen across the country. The anxiety and anticipation of Christmas morning is a gift in itself, given to us by Lady Liberty and kept in tact by the very document she holds in her left arm. She clings to the foundation, built on the sanctuary of rock and not-shifting sand, of the house that will hopefully last forever.

A single lighthouse and a beacon of truth shines brilliantly in the darkness of the world today. Consequently, everyone watches like newborn babies observing what their mother does and mimicking her every move in order to learn what is necessary for survival in the brutal harshness of reality. The torch is held high for all to see.

Determination for an improved tomorrow and a tomorrow where all people have hope of a wonderful life and the opportunity of hard work, which in turn will give birth to the eternal reward of perseverance. As it is, so many have fled the turmoil of starvation or agonizing suppression of tyranny to have the same fortunes that we already take advantage of and don't always identify as what should be celebrated ordainment. If it comes to be realized by all that Lady Liberty is the very symbol of freedom, justice, truth, equality and prosperity, then she will truly stand for the true America, which is already understood by those whose new life bears testimony.