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What Canada means to me: An essay

The following essay was written by Lauren Lowe, age 12, for a recent contest through the Agassiz Library and the Agassiz-Harrison Lions Club. Her efforts won her top prize, and the chance to read it out loud at the Agassiz Canada Day celebrations last Friday. For those who missed it, here are her words.

The luscious green grass, raging rivers, the calm gentle breeze, sparkling oceans, mighty mountains and tall trees. Canada is more than a country, it’s a home. It’s a home to you and me and all the animals that roam. It’s the place I’ve grown up in, and the place I’ll stay till I’m old and gone.

I’ve met my best friend here, celebrated 12 birthdays here, and took my first steps. Here in Canada, you can have the opportunity to do anything! Swim, run, dance, learn, laugh and just be you.

Canada has a lot to be proud of – like the Canadian Flag, Flanders Fields, Terry Fox, eagles, beavers, Hockey, the landscape, cultures, National Anthem, freedom and all Canadians.

More than ten million square miles of land surrounded by three oceans, Canada has a population of a mere thirty-two million people. It is a safe place, where laughter and excitement fill the air. Who would want to live anywhere else?

When I think about Canada, I think about today, the past and my future. My past has been an amazing 12 years with making new friends, trying new things and discovering the world around me. Today I am having an awesome time expressing my feelings about Canada and how it makes me – me! It makes me feel confident and safe and that builds personality and dreams. For the future, I am preparing for the twists and turns, good times and bad, and anything that comes my way. I am planning on doing something to give back to Canada.

The more I think about it the more I come to have great respect for my country. Canada is fair, kind and offers support to every person. It is affordable and has great education programs. I mean in some countries girls are not even allowed to go to school or show any of their face except for their eyes. I think I have an amazing life with funny good-hearted friends, loving family and safe environment.

I know I still have a long time to decide what I want to be but I know it must be something that will contribute. There are many people that make Canada a proud country and I would like to be one of them. A doctor, nurse, firefighter, police officer, mother, Olympian, teacher, farmer, Military and so much more. They are who Canada is.

All I know is Canada is my heart and home and always will be.

I am proud to be called Canadian.

Lauren Lowe, age 12