L-S Student Pens Winning Essay in America’s Field Trip Contest

Last spring, eighth-grade social studies teacher Kevin Franklin challenged his students to submit an optional assignment with a potentially big payoff. He encouraged them to enter the America’s Field Trip essay contest, a nationwide contest hosted by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to commemorate the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.

Among those who took him up on it was Judy Al Kerdi, a student who moved to the United States from Lebanon in 2021.

Using the prompt of “What does America mean to you?” Judy’s essay was a poignant reflection on her first few years in the U.S. In it, she described the process of trading secondhand misconceptions for her own firsthand discoveries. Her journey transformed her perception of her new home, moving past initial uncertainties to experience a nation defined by cultural diversity and individual liberty. By sharing her new outlook with family back in Lebanon, she has become a bridge between cultures, offering a personal and nuanced perspective on the American Dream.

In May, Judy’s mother received a letter from PA Governor Josh Shapiro announcing that Judy had been named a first-prize winner! Given the choice between a summer trip to Washington, D.C., and a cash award, she chose the cash award to accommodate a planned trip back to Lebanon to be with family.

Now a freshman at LSHS, Judy’s journey of exploration is only just beginning. She plans to use her winnings to fund an upcoming trip with the high school’s Spanish department next summer. From Lebanon to Pennsylvania to Spain, Judy is proving that the American Dream can be a doorway to becoming a true citizen of the world. Congratulations, Judy!