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Congratulations! Stephanie won the essay contest!, here 'tis:

Stephanie Brazell and Justin Singleton, winners in the Covenant Academy
"If I Were Old Enough I would Surely Vote" Contest

AWARD WINNING ESSAY

IF I WERE OLD ENOUGH I WOULD SURELY VOTE

By Stephanie Brazell, age 10

If I were old enough, I would surely vote because if we didn't vote the candidates wouldn't feel like they had to work hard to be president. If they were just born into office like kings they wouldn't care if they pleased the people. If we didn't vote, we would have dictators, and that would take away our freedom.

If I could vote in this year's election, I would vote for George w. Bush because he believes in the people making their own decisions and not letting the government control everything. Bush's tax plan is much better than Gore's because it helps everyone who pays taxes, not just the poor. (Tax rate comparisons and cited resources listed here have been deleted for clarity and space.)

I feel Bush is more trustworthy than Gore, and this will make him a better president. Bush also believes in making people accountable. He believes in school choice, and I am glad that I get to choose to learn at home.

Bush is pro-life, and this makes me feel good about him. Bush does not support same sex marriage; therefore, he believes what the Bible says. He was quoted for the second debate in USA Today: "I'm not for gay marriage. I think marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman, and I appreciate the way the (Clinton) administration signed the Defense of Marriage Act."

Bush also promises to be careful and cautious about where and why he sends our armed forces. He was also quoted in USA Today as saying, "There's got to be priorities, and the Middle East is a priority for a reason, as is Europe and the Far East and our own hemisphere, and those are my top priorities, should I become president. It's not to say we won't be engaged nor trying --- nor should we --- to work hard to getother nations to come together to prevent atrocity. But, we can't be all things to all people, and I think that's where the Vice President and I begin to have some differences. I am worried about overcommitting our military around the world. I want to be judicious in its use."

I also think he's funny and honest, and if I were old enough, I would surely vote for George W. Bush to be our next President.