England has improved her writing skills by writing an award-winning essay. |
"The Second Amendment is a large pillar of what our country was founded on and what it is made of today." That's a strong statement, but it was said by a student who feels strongly about the right to own firearms, which is provided for in the Second Amendment. Her belief is so compelling that an essay she wrote about the subject won her a trip to Washington, D.C. Sophomore Abigail England wrote the essay, "Crime and the Second Amendment," for the Youth Education Summit through the National Rifle Association. Though participants, sophomores and juniors only, were required to write about the Second Amendment, England chose to focus on weapons' effect on crime rates. "Though guns do hurt people, if they take them away completely, they can hurt even more," she said, summarizing her main point. The Wells student used encyclopedias, Internet and media sources to show how crime rates increase in countries where guns are banned, which supported her argument that the Second Amendment protects citizens from government and from others. She discussed the school shootings in Columbine, Colo. and wondered if the stricter gun laws that were discussed afterward were the right answer. In England where firearms are more restricted, she said, they have a high crime rate and citizens use different kinds of weapons instead of guns. Though it was not easy, England enjoyed writing the essay and feels she has a better grasp of the writing process from the experience. "The most challenging part for me was writing the essay," she said. "It was difficult for me to sit down and put my thoughts on paper." Two things, determination and interest, maintained her diligence with the 3.5-page essay. She wanted to finish, she said, and this persistence helped her. Winning the trip to the Capital was also in the back of her mind as something she wanted to do. But it helped to have interest in the topic about which she was writing. "The Columbine shooting I found really fascinating," she said. And winning the trip to Washington made it worthwhile. "I'm very excited about seeing where our founding fathers set up our stuff," she said about seeing the major landmarks of the nation's history. The trip will last one week in June and England will spend it with 40 other contest winners. But when she returns, her challenge is not over. She will have the opportunity to win scholarship money when she talks to groups and community members about gun ownership and her trip to Washington. She's also about telling others how they can participate in the program. But first, she's off to the Capital. |