Nysetvold, a senior at Fairfax County’s Oakton High School, was one of the top finishers among 50,000 students nationwide in an essay contest on what it means to be an American. Nysetvold earned an honorable mention award from the Bill of Rights Institute.
So, what does it mean, in a nutshell, to be an American?
To be an American means you have rights and freedoms given to you, and that you live in a nation with a history of trying to be good, of trying to follow a conscience.
What was your essay about, specifically?
I chose to write on Rosa Parks, and I focused on the value of integrity. America wants to be a moral nation, and that’s one of the things that makes us who we are. But ultimately, all of the good qualities in the world don’t do you any good if you don’t stand up for them.
A lot of people in this town are worried about the future of our nation. Are you?
I think everyone has certain worries based on difficulties we’re facing, but I think people are still trying to have the American dream. People are still getting up and going to work, they’re still having fun with their family — I think there’s still potential for this country. You can easily get bogged down by the recession, or this legislation or that scandal, but when it comes down to it life is still happening.
You moved to the United States from Canada as a little girl. How did that shape your American experience?
Well, I went from Canada to Texas. Other than that, it wasn’t a humongous shock. But being in the first grade, you’re doing the money math, and I just remember thinking, “Who are all these pictures on the coins?” – Leah Fabel
