A Dinner With the Bold And Brave by Maya

A Dinner With the Bold And Brave by Maya - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

The table is set. Everything is joyful in the candlelit cabin. We are laughing and having meaningful conversation about conservation, presidential elections, and memories about his youth. It’s a quarter past nine and the flickering fireplace makes the dining room seem warm and homely. The chicken and gravy, his favorite made so deliciously by his wife, is almost all gone. Then Theodore Roosevelt sighs contentedly. “It feels so good to be alive again.” He gives me advice like a grandfather, telling me to live strong and push boundaries and value family. I’m so glad that he’s the president I chose to resurrect so I can enjoy a lovely dinner with him.
And that’s exactly which president I’d have for dinner. Obama also seems like such an amazing, boundary-defying, charismatic president. Heck, he’s the first black president to serve in the White House! But if we went fully historic and analyzed which president I’d love to have dinner with, it’d be Teddy Roosevelt first. People loved him so much that they made the teddy bear in honor of him, and that’s from when he showed care for a bear cub. He is a sweet man who cares for nature, his friends, and family. Roosevelt was known to be constantly involved in his life. He proved through his actions that he loved nature as he set up systems protecting wildlife and national parks. As someone who also appreciates the beauty of the natural world, I’d be honored to sit with an environmentally-mindful person at dinner.
Besides nature, Roosevelt was a man full of other great values. The Nobel Peace Prize winner was the first to host a dinner with a black man in the White House, and was inclusive and accepting of many. He was open, fair, and honest, and as a half-Asian girl, I’d feel comfortable around someone welcoming like him at dinner. It would say something about his nobility for him to be included on Mount Rushmore with all the founding fathers, too. This man was also brilliant and did so many activities that would give him stories to tell at dinner. He wrote a ton; herded and cared for cattle; explored; was a sheriff, a war hero, a historian, once governor of New York; and much, much more. Multifaceted people are most interesting to talk to, as they have so many different ways to contribute to the world and view it. I’ve always loved how well-rounded this president was, and would feel honored to be around someone with such an interesting, energetic personality. I think the first thing I’d ask about would be the photo of him riding a moose across a brook.
Every time I hear about Theodore Roosevelt I think of a progressive president who wanted to help others and the environment. He was always involved with what made people safe, making sure food was purified, miners could work for shorter hours and get paid more, railroad rates weren’t too high, and many other things. Roosevelt was a strong individual who was bold in his moves and never lost his fiery passion for America. No aspect of American Life was too insignificant for him to attend to; and though many criticized him for being himself, he never gave up. I always admire those who stay resilient through criticism of others and contribute to the world by being their own caring, unique selves.
This resilient man sits across from me at the table and sips coffee, of which, similarly to me, he drinks gallons daily. It is now 10 PM, and I’m not tired from talking to this older man. In fact, I feel energized, inspired, and empowered. “You know why I chose to eat with you, rather than all the others?” I ask. After I see his eye glimmer behind thick spectacles, I explain, “It’s because you’re so influential, multifaceted, and aware of all that needs progress. It’s amazing! And you had such an interesting life. The world needs more people like you, more so than ever now.” He smiles and thanks me. This has been the best dinner ever, especially with a president of the United States. His character is bold, full of good morals, and looking towards change—just like America’s identity.