'I am an American'

Camilla Dudley is an American patriot.

Every day at Seeliger Elementary School, the 10-year-old and a classmate put up the American flag. Every day at the end of the school day they take it down.

That's just the beginning for Camilla. On Tuesday night, members of the Carson Sertoma Club pressed tears away as she read aloud her essay on the rights and privileges of American citizens. The club awarded her a $200 savings bond for her first-place win in their National Heritage "I am an American" contest.

In her essay, she mentions the songs she likes so much like "The Star Spangled Banner," "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "God Bless America" and touches on the Iraq War, saying that Americans should protect freedom abroad.

"America is at war in Iraq," she read. "I really don't like war and I know other people don't either. But America is free and freedom should be protected."

Many of the older Carson Sertoma Club members appreciated Camilla's allusion to Iraq.

"We've got a lot of older gentlemen in the club that are very high on being patriotic because they served in the wars," said Carson Sertoma President Bob Thrower. "Mentioning the war in Iraq really touched them very much."

Also in her essay, Camilla talked about the equality of people wherever they live and citizens' rights to worship how they want.

"I have many rights and privileges," she said. "I am thankful for them. Perhaps if I lived somewhere else it would not be the same."

Every year, the Carson Sertoma Club seeks essays from Carson City School District fifth-graders for its contest. Fifth-graders study the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

"Camilla's essay was a very, very great essay," Thrower said. "It was pretty incredible. It's amazing to me to see fifth-graders speak of war and hers was so touching to me. They were all wonderful."

Second-place winner Hillary Lundin received a $100 savings bond and is a classmate of Camilla's at Seeliger. They both have Daniel Brown as a teacher. The third-place winner Justin Stevens is from Fritsch Elementary School. Carson Sertomans awarded him a $50 savings bond.

At the end of the awards Tuesday evening at Thurman's Ranch House, the Carson Sertoma Club gave the three fifth-graders a standing ovation for their work.

"I think this year they all stepped it up a notch," Thrower said. "All three presentations were outstanding."

The Carson Sertoma Club is a group of about 30 men, who focus on serving the speech- and hearing-impaired. The men hold a golf tournament, game feed and garage sale each year to support their various projects. Anyone interested in joining can call Thrower at 882-6503.

To read Camilla's, Hillary's and Justin's essays on the Internet, go to www.nevadaappeal.com.

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.