Sample from past student Nick Tsigas:

First, look around you. You live in a country of industry: a legacy dating back to the invention of steam; a country with an innovative mindset, freedom, and structure. Now look at yourself. Where do you live, what is your nationality, who do you identify with? America. Not Texas, or Virginia, or any one state. The United States. A country with a strong government, representatives, the Federal Reserve, even a close alliance with Britain, and a Constitution that has been built on and expanded over the years. These all are the ideals of Alexander Hamilton and his Federalists, and now, over two hundred years later, they still provide the backbone of an ideal American society.

Hamilton rose in an unprecedented manner from poverty and nothingness to become a shrewd politician and war hero. He was born abandoned and disowned and worked, on his own merits, to rise to a career in law, and Wasington’s aide-de-camp. In war he witnessed horrors none of us can imagine, including Jefferson. It is true that these past experiences influenced some of his ideas that seem defensive and untrusting towards the majority of society. But all people are influenced by the past, including Jefferson and his ‘sunnier’ background. Many of Jefferson’s ideas, while idealistic, are no longer relevant in today’s government; particularly his grand idea of an America of ‘yeoman’ farmers, and states all but separate in government. Any final vestiges of this illusion vanished in the 1800’s when America, like the rest of the modern age, became industrialized. This, Hamilton anticipated, and it came true.

For those who doubt Hamilton, I say look no farther than the country around you today, for it is full of Hamilton’s ideas. People looking to hold an office in politics must prove to through campaigns that they are worthy of people’s trust, and not selfish and manipulative. Representatives, not the everyday man, go to Washington where the laws that affect all of us, state and citizen are made. Our economy is reflected in an abstract, but effective stock market. The Federal Reserve Bank of America is the cornerstone of our economy and growth, and even allowed for the dubious Louisiana Purchase. We export goods and services, and take a leading role in Foreign Relations. We have a close alliance with Britain and many other countries. Most importantly, we have a society in which, like Hamilton himself, the little man can make himself whatever he pursues in life. In short, we are a global superpower. All of these were the foresights, ideas and brainchildren of the great Alexander Hamilton, without whom we would not know the privileges our society has to offer.

In conclusion, when the grand picture of history is taken into consideration, Hamilton is responsible for some of the most fundamental, progressive Ideals and Institutions that have made America the worldwide powerhouse that it is. Where some people provided a newborn America with words and principles, Mr. Hamilton gave it practicable ideas, institutions, and a forward-thinking attitude that prompted it into the actions that made it what is is today. And as they say, actions speak louder than words.

Example argument from past year's student. (Skyler Simon)

To me, a legacy is the impact a person made on their time, and what they left to help the future. Jefferson started from a rich family, but that didn't matter to him. His legacy was created from the ground up. He spoke through the written word, which tends to have a greater impact on people, seeing as how they will see the words again and again. He was full of great virtues, and trusted the people, but not to a fault. Educated people were to be trusted with power. They will be able to make good decisions if they know what is going on. Everybody counts, from the youngest slave, to the wealthiest plantation owner.

Now, think about the rights you have. Jefferson is the reason you have them. He demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. He ensured that the government could not take the power from us, the people. Hamilton thought the national government should have the power, but Jefferson knew that the people were the ones that should govern the new, democratic nation. He knew that this would prevent the government from ever being unfair to the people like Britain was to America.

Now, think of him as the author of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote that as humans, we have the FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The "unalienable rights" we possess are thanks to him. He believed that all humans are equal, no matter if they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, like him, or if they were born into nothing. They have the opportunity to get educated, to take their freedoms and run with them, to make something out of themselves! Without such a strong document to declare these rights, written by a brilliant man who can make his words come alive, we would not be the strong country we are today. In fact, these principles have been introduced into many state Constitutions over the years. These are ideas burned into the minds of all US citizens. Immigrants come here because they know that America will guarantee them these rights which they have been denied in their home countries.

Thomas Jefferson also drafted the bill for religious freedom. It gave all citizens of Virginia religious freedom, and it also explained about separation of church and state. Many people hadn't thought of this and had just assumed that there would be a national religion and that it would be part of the new government of America. The ideas Jefferson explores in this bill are integrated into the Bill of Rights in the 1st Amendment.

In office, Jefferson DOUBLED the size of our country, thereby securing our spot as a growing world power. By increasing our boundaries by so much, he allowed for more settlers to come and help make America prosper. He grew our nation to a new size with new land that was very different from the land we already owned. It allowed for new opportunities, in both economics and landowning, letting families go find their fortune in the west.

He was a positive man who looked out for the farmers. He trusted the people with the fate of our country. He knew that we could make good decisions if we knew what was going on. His ideas changed the way Americans see their rights and freedoms. His ideas changed the way we see each other. They altered the public’s relationship with the government. These ideas that came from Thomas Jefferson's head are etched into our brains. All the rights people are guaranteed in America, the rights that are the root of war in so many countries such as Libya and Darfur in Sudan; the unrest in China due to internet censorship, and the anger in America when they tried to limit us. Without a Bill of Rights, the government may have been able to enforce SOPA and PIPA, because we wouldn't have had a right to be violated.

Thank Thomas Jefferson for American freedoms. Thank him for your rights. Even more importantly, thank him for freeing us from the tyrant that was Britain.

Sample former student SAMPLE:(Nick Tsigas)

First, look around you. You live in a country of industry: a legacy dating back to the invention of steam; a country with an innovative mindset, freedom, and structure. Now look at yourself. Where do you live, what is your nationality, who do you identify with? America. Not Texas, or Virginia, or any one state. The United States. A country with a strong government, representatives, the Federal Reserve, even a close alliance with Britain, and a Constitution that has been built on and expanded over the years. These all are the ideals of Alexander Hamilton and his Federalists, and now, over two hundred years later, they still provide the backbone of an ideal American society.

Hamilton rose in an unprecedented manner from poverty and nothingness to become a shrewd politician and war hero. He was born abandoned and disowned and worked, on his own merits, to rise to a career in law, and Wasington’s aide-de-camp. In war he witnessed horrors none of us can imagine, including Jefferson. It is true that these past experiences influenced some of his ideas that seem defensive and untrusting towards the majority of society. But all people are influenced by the past, including Jefferson and his ‘sunnier’ background. Many of Jefferson’s ideas, while idealistic, are no longer relevant in today’s government; particularly his grand idea of an America of ‘yeoman’ farmers, and states all but separate in government. Any final vestiges of this illusion vanished in the 1800’s when America, like the rest of the modern age, became industrialized. This, Hamilton anticipated, and it came true.

For those who doubt Hamilton, I say look no farther than the country around you today, for it is full of Hamilton’s ideas. People looking to hold an office in politics must prove to through campaigns that they are worthy of people’s trust, and not selfish and manipulative. Representatives, not the everyday man, go to Washington where the laws that affect all of us, state and citizen are made. Our economy is reflected in an abstract, but effective stock market. The Federal Reserve Bank of America is the cornerstone of our economy and growth, and even allowed for the dubious Louisiana Purchase. We export goods and services, and take a leading role in Foreign Relations. We have a close alliance with Britain and many other countries. Most importantly, we have a society in which, like Hamilton himself, the little man can make himself whatever he pursues in life. In short, we are a global superpower. All of these were the foresights, ideas and brainchildren of the great Alexander Hamilton, without whom we would not know the privileges our society has to offer.

In conclusion, when the grand picture of history is taken into consideration, Hamilton is responsible for some of the most fundamental, progressive Ideals and Institutions that have made America the worldwide powerhouse that it is. Where some people provided a newborn America with words and principles, Mr. Hamilton gave it practicable ideas, institutions, and a forward-thinking attitude that prompted it into the actions that made it what is is today. And as they say, actions speak louder than words.

Example argument from past student. (Skyler Simon)

To me, a legacy is the impact a person made on their time, and what they left to help the future. Jefferson started from a rich family, but that didn't matter to him. His legacy was created from the ground up. He spoke through the written word, which tends to have a greater impact on people, seeing as how they will see the words again and again. He was full of great virtues, and trusted the people, but not to a fault. Educated people were to be trusted with power. They will be able to make good decisions if they know what is going on. Everybody counts, from the youngest slave, to the wealthiest plantation owner.

Now, think about the rights you have. Jefferson is the reason you have them. He demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. He ensured that the government could not take the power from us, the people. Hamilton thought the national government should have the power, but Jefferson knew that the people were the ones that should govern the new, democratic nation. He knew that this would prevent the government from ever being unfair to the people like Britain was to America.

Now, think of him as the author of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote that as humans, we have the FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The "unalienable rights" we possess are thanks to him. He believed that all humans are equal, no matter if they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, like him, or if they were born into nothing. They have the opportunity to get educated, to take their freedoms and run with them, to make something out of themselves! Without such a strong document to declare these rights, written by a brilliant man who can make his words come alive, we would not be the strong country we are today. In fact, these principles have been introduced into many state Constitutions over the years. These are ideas burned into the minds of all US citizens. Immigrants come here because they know that America will guarantee them these rights which they have been denied in their home countries.

Thomas Jefferson also drafted the bill for religious freedom. It gave all citizens of Virginia religious freedom, and it also explained about separation of church and state. Many people hadn't thought of this and had just assumed that there would be a national religion and that it would be part of the new government of America. The ideas Jefferson explores in this bill are integrated into the Bill of Rights in the 1st Amendment.

In office, Jefferson DOUBLED the size of our country, thereby securing our spot as a growing world power. By increasing our boundaries by so much, he allowed for more settlers to come and help make America prosper. He grew our nation to a new size with new land that was very different from the land we already owned. It allowed for new opportunities, in both economics and landowning, letting families go find their fortune in the west.

He was a positive man who looked out for the farmers. He trusted the people with the fate of our country. He knew that we could make good decisions if we knew what was going on. His ideas changed the way Americans see their rights and freedoms. His ideas changed the way we see each other. They altered the public’s relationship with the government. These ideas that came from Thomas Jefferson's head are etched into our brains. All the rights people are guaranteed in America, the rights that are the root of war in so many countries such as Libya and Darfur in Sudan; the unrest in China due to internet censorship, and the anger in America when they tried to limit us. Without a Bill of Rights, the government may have been able to enforce SOPA and PIPA, because we wouldn't have had a right to be violated.

Thank Thomas Jefferson for American freedoms. Thank him for your rights. Even more importantly, thank him for freeing us from the tyrant that was Britain.