The Mac n Cheese Prez by Erika

The Mac n Cheese Prez by Erika - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” If I could eat dinner with any United States president it would be Mr. Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson, perhaps one of the most important figures in United States history, not only had a tremendous impact on the USA’s territories today, but it's most iconic foods as well.
1774. Britain's colonies were convinced that they needed to break away from Britain. Thomas Jefferson, one of our Founding Fathers, was one of these people. To give a voice to his fellow colonists, he wrote the Declaration of Independence, which justified our right to revolt against England. Additionally, this document is still relevant today in that it exemplifies the ideals and goals of our nation- the very things we claim to fight for in every war we enter. Without Jefferson’s skill in writing the Declaration of Independence, we may have come out of the revolutionary war in even worse condition, making Jefferson’s political tact a crucial factor in young America’s survival. Furthermore, this document did not only affect the United States, but other countries as well. Many countries from all over the world have used this document as a model for their own governments, showing that Jefferson’s impact was not only national, but world-wide.
After the Revolutionary War, the United States was insignificant compared to other powerful countries, and Jefferson knew this. When France offered to sell the vast Louisiana Territory, Jefferson made the deal, even though he was unsure of its legality. Jefferson was considered a “strict” interpreter of the Constitution, meaning that he thought presidents only had the powers listed in the Constitution, and purchasing land was not one of these. He grappled with the benefits of the Louisiana Territory and his own beliefs and in the end, he chose what benefited the country most: the Louisiana Territory. The purchase doubled the size of the United States, greatly strengthened the country materially and strategically, and provided a powerful impetus to westward expansion, making the Louisiana purchase the most important purchase of land in United States history. Without this purchase, the United States might not have become the powerhouse it is today.
I would also like to eat dinner with an accomplished lawyer. Taught by America’s first law professor, George Wythe, Jefferson was one of the most learned lawyers in America after only five years of study. To be able to discuss law with someone with such high caliber as Jefferson would be an amazing experience, especially because I want to be a lawyer.
Lastly, in addition to eating with an extremely influential person of American politics, I would be eating with a person who popularized two of America’s most beloved foods: mac n cheese and ice cream. During his time in the US government, Jefferson made trips to France and brought back foods, that with his influence and popularity, became some of the most iconic American foods today. The man had great taste in food, and even developed his own recipes that some chefs use today.
Thomas Jefferson, one of our founding fathers, is without a doubt one of the most influential persons in United States history. To be able to eat dinner and talk with such a person would be a priceless experience. His ideas and tastes have had lasting impacts on not only American politics, but American culture as well, making him someone I would like to eat dinner with.