Patriot Day Essay Contest: 25th Anniversary Winners
2026 Patriot Day Essay Contest Winners
In recognition of Patriot Day, GMC Prep School invited students in grades 9–12 to reflect on the power of kindness, good deeds, resilience, and unity. Students were challenged to consider how individual acts of kindness can strengthen our schools, communities, and nation.
We are proud to recognize this year’s Patriot Day Essay Contest winners and share their thoughtful reflections below. Please take a moment to read the two winning essays and hear these students’ perspectives on the lasting impact of kindness and the spirit of unity.
Amelia Newberry (11th Grade)
If every American committed one good deed a day, we would see a lot more time and love being poured back into the community and country. Currently, citizens of the twenty-first century are constantly overwhelmed by busy schedules and endless tasks that come with modern life. This busy lifestyle triggers a trend of selfishness among Americans; due to the limited time they have to give back to their peers and community. It is important to see beyond the demands that life throws at you and give back to those around you. By committing one good deed a day, it would allow time in Americans busy schedule to reflect on how they can do good for others around them.
At school students face many things throughout the day that can affect their mood and well-being. A bad grade, a mean thing said, and an endless to-do list can make school a hard and stressful environment. If students focused on committing one act of kindness a day, it would not only make others around them feel better about themselves but also boost their own morale. Helping another student with a hard problem or sticking up for them in an unfortunate situation means more to that person than one can expect. Being seen and included creates opportunities for new conversations and growth even within the classroom. When students have an incentive to be kind, such as committing one good deed a day, it leads to a sense of belonging and less exclusion. The younger generations in school today are also seen as divided due to technology. Reaching out to other students by doing charitable deeds leads to unification. Complimenting someone’s outfit or sharing a snack with them creates moments that spark new friendships and conversations without using technology or even social media. Overall, by doing one good deed a day students will feel more connected, included, and develop more friendships.
Committing one good deed a day would also bring together communities as a whole. Many places throughout the city are in need of citizens to provide volunteer work. Places such as animal shelters, homeless shelters, and urban parks would benefit greatly from extra help. Volunteering around the community creates a sense of pride for where you live and what you have contributed to it. Seeing animals being adopted and parks being used more helps citizens realize that what they can contribute leaves a lasting effect on organizations around their city. This not only helps the city become cleaner and improved but makes citizens more inclined to give back to their community.
A good deed a day would also spark more camaraderie amongst adults. It is proven that it is hardest to make friends in your adult years. One charitable act a day would create more space for communication among this age group. Adults can offer to pick up a neighbor’s kid, deliver baked goods, or pay for a shared dinner. This creates friendship by taking the burden from daily activities. These small acts would also allow citizens to have a stronger support group by creating ties through these acts of kindness. When adversities come, it is important to have a support group to help you stay strong in times of hardship. When a community is fulfilling helpful actions, it fosters more community growth through volunteer work, communication, and the development of support groups.
As good deeds are spread around schools and communities, it could have the potential to unify America. Small acts of kindness spark new conversations and friendships as well as help communities move towards being cleaner and more improved. This is important in the twenty-first century because it unifies generations that are seen as growing more disconnected. These good deeds can create large impacts on schools and communities, benefiting all citizens.
Kathryn January (8th Grade)
One Good Deed Every Day
If every American committed to one good deed each day, it could improve school attitudes, community cleanliness, and country unity. When we commit to one good deed, it can change everything. A good deed can look like giving someone a compliment, picking up trash, or even donating time or money towards something. Good deeds can be big or small, but they always make an impact.
In school, it is important to have a good attitude, but it can also be hard. One compliment can instantly lift your mood. In our community, our choice to just pick up that one piece of trash can eventually lead to others doing the same thing. This was even true in 2001 after 9/11. People chose to wake up early the next day after a tragedy to pick up broken glass and rubble. With time, all of the rubble was picked up because of the New Yorkers’ can-do attitudes.
On 9/11/2001, many boat owners dropped what they were doing to evacuate people from New York. People needed help, and the boat owners took action and responded. No matter your opinions, race, or beliefs, if you needed help that day, you were helped. When we contribute to our country in any way that we can, we make our country better. Whether it’s giving a compliment or cleaning up after others, everything you do makes an impact.
You don’t have to be the biggest or strongest person to make an impact; you just have to care. If we commit to one good deed, we can leave a lasting impact on school attitudes, community cleanliness, and country unity. Our world is going to change; the only question is if it’s going to change for the better or worse. Everything you say and do makes an impact. Choose to impact your world for the better.
