Editor's note: Eighth-grade students at Bland Middle School in Merit share their thoughts about Presidents Day.
Lincoln made U.S. better
Presidents Day is here. There have been 47 presidents. This day was made to acknowledge those people who took on the job to lead the nation. People don't realize how much we need to appreciate the day and remember the past presidents.
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One president who stuck out to me the most was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln led us through the Civil War and defended the nation. He also issued the Emancipation Proclamation and freed enslaved people in the Union states.
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He was for the people and was a huge abolitionist. He also built the Republican Party into a stronger one than it was.
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Lincoln helped the United States become a better nation overall.
Lisbeth Colmenero
AdvertisementGlad we had Reagan
In honor of Presidents Day, Bland Middle School's eighth grade journalism class is discussing which president they think is the best. I chose Ronald Reagan.
President Reagan was born on Feb. 6, 1911, and elected president in 1980. He did some interesting things while he was president including building a strong military and a strong economy.
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His favorite book was the Bible, and he liked to horseback ride, golf, do ranch work, swim and target shoot. To me, Reagan was a true Renaissance president, and I'm glad we got to have him as our 40th.
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Jentry Wright
Washington a leader
One of my favorite presidents is George Washington. Before he became president he was well known for his great leadership skills while leading the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolution.
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As the nation's first president, Washington faced many challenges. But he set many important precedents such as establishing the executive branch, supporting the addition of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and much more.
I've learned that Washington's integrity, dedication and great leadership skills helped lay the foundation of the United States.
Valeria Vazquez
Jefferson's declaration
Since Presidents Day is here, it is a great time to reflect on the presidents and how they shaped our country, and to honor them. My personal favorite president would have to be Thomas Jefferson. He did many good things in his service to our country, like drafting the Declaration of Independence.
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To break it down to you in simple terms, the declaration is the document that shows our values as a new country. Thanks to Thomas Jefferson for writing it.
Natalie Landaverde
Washington set standard
Presidents Day is here and while the sales and shopping are great, I feel that we need to do more to celebrate those who have decided to take the liberty of running our country.
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George Washington, our first ever president, went through his life doing many things for our nation such as fighting in the American Revolutionary War and the Quasi-War with France, establishing a national bank, suppressing the Whisky Rebellion and also establishing a trade relationship with Great Britain along with running our country.
As the first president, he set the standard for all the presidents who came after him. After serving, he willingly stepped down, showing the others to come that two terms is enough.
Our presidents have done so much for us. Presidents Day is barely acknowledged by most people, which, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable. We need to honor the people who have brought so much honor to our country.
Lydia Beard
AdvertisementLincoln changed nation
Presidents Day is a day to look at the achievements of U.S. presidents, and I'd like to look at what Abraham Lincoln did. He was the 16th president and his greatest achievements included keeping the Union together and giving freedom to slaves through his Emancipation Proclamation. With his loyalty to freedom and democracy, he changed the face of the nation.
In his Gettysburg Address, he put forward a government "of the people, by the people, for the people."
Lincoln also continued to grow the nation through the Homestead Act, giving settlers land. He became a strong representative of unity, freedom and justice.
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Juan Vizcaya Duarte
FDR a hero for his time
I think the best president in American history is Franklin D. Roosevelt. He got America out of poverty during the Great Depression. He created numerous programs for the unemployed.
He created the New Deal that had multiple programs such as public work projects, banking reforms, agricultural programs and more.
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Roosevelt kept the U.S. out of World War II as long as he could, but when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor, he guided us through the war.
He's also an historic president because he served four terms. Overall, as the 32nd president of the United States, he was a hero for his time.
Kingston Sok
LBJ committed to equality
As we reflect on the history of our nation's leadership, it is important to recognize the big impact that Lyndon B. Johnson had as president. His term started after a tragic event, but he left a lasting legacy.
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One of his greatest achievements was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He had a commitment to equality that helped end segregation. He showed how presidents can care for everyone, not just the important figures around them.
Morgan Cartmill
Bush helped after 9/11
I have a favorite president and that is George W. Bush. You have to imagine the amount of stress he had during 9/11. I mean the world was practically falling apart, and it was important that he helped find a solution.
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Presidents Day is so underrated and needs to be more reflected on. Those who run for president are so brave and just want the best for our country.
Linsey Womack
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