Dinner with a Founding Father by Avery

Dinner with a Founding Father by Avery - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I could have dinner with any U.S. President, past or present, it could be George Washington. Washington took office as the first President of the United States in 1789--but he wasn't just a president. Washington served as a military general, and he was the one that brought the colonies together and united them. He was a founding father of this great country that we call America--and that is why I believe he is the best president to learn from.
Obviously, a lot has changed since the days of the Constitution. Our lifestyles are much different, and, therefore, so are our politics. However, I think that George Washington has the core values that we have been missing in our leaders today. First, he served in the military; this means that he knew the value of hard work, and he truly understood what it means to risk your life in the field of battle. Secondly, he was a humble man. Washington had the opportunity to be a king, and, yet, he turned down the offer. He was never after the fame or the fortune; he just wanted what he felt was best for the country. He was honest, generous, and trustworthy. He led by example and gave a fair chance to everyone.
I would like to have dinner with George Washington so that I could ask him what he thinks about current events. I would love to know his take on the shootings that plague America, the riots that have destroyed our cities, and the ongoing political battle between the Republicans and the Democrats. Before he was president, Washington helped the other Founding Fathers bring the colonies together. He was able to do this because he was a well-respected man with a good reputation for honesty. If America had a leader like this today—a trustworthy leader—then perhaps we could learn to unite with religions, sexualities, and skin colors that are different from our own. I would like to ask Washington how he thinks America can move forward into a state of peace and love—and away from the hatred that plagues us today.