Why Now?

While I am 20, I do understand my American history and my obligations to serve my nation and community. My favorite leaders from American history, besides being an amateur expert and collector of Eisenhower memorabilia, are some of our youngest figures. Nathan Hale was 21 when he was hung for treason to King George III, his last words echo down through history: "I regret I have but one life to give for my country!" Patrick Henry was 29 when he gave his famous "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death" speech to the House of Burgesses. Marquis de Lafayette was 19 when he became a French American leader in the American Revolution, and ultimately Washington's right hand commander called the "Fighting Frenchman." In 1777, Betsy Ross was 24 years old when she had sewn the first Stars and Stripes banner for the Continental Army adopted as one of the first standard national flags. In 1881, Booker T. Washington was 25 years old when he was selected to become the first President of the Tuskegee University. Through his values of self reliance, individualism, and civil enfranchisement, Washington helped grow three decades of educators and became an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

 It is doubtful other colonists thought Lafayette, Ross, Hale, or Henry were too young to serve their nation or do great things to ensure their values were met with independence. It is doubtful that many today would think Booker T. Washington was too young to lead a college of education that helped produce some of the earliest ideas of civil rights and legislative reform in the United States.

There are three major reasons I believe I am qualified to lead: 1) Young people will inherit this nation long after the former generations. Thus, it is best a young leader with values and traditional morals helps shape the future to inherit the best community and country we can. 2) Young people do have good ideas and can help. I have met countless people my own age and just five minutes into a political discussion they are all more common and want the same things regardless of ideology. They desire a strong American effort to reform governments to serve the people again, hope for the future of this country, and peace with one another. These are common ideas through every era in America's history, but cannot happen for the future if young people are not given the chance to help reinforce them. 3) Young people love America, Texas, and their community. Young people are sometimes seen as rowdy, but I have spent more time reading than most people dream of. I have 400+ books on my home shelves, always had great grades, and all while working and being involved in the community. I have never drank, smoked, done drugs, or even gotten a tattoo, and never will. Young people aren't all generic, and given the chance to have one lead can prove we are capable of helping better our community.