Recently, San Antonio’s mayor, Ivy R. Taylor, awarded six San Antonio students with scholarships to the Alamo’s 2016 summer camp. To be considered for one of the scholarships, students had to submit an essay on the prompt: “In 1836, Texans made a stand for something they believe in at the Alamo. Why is their decision to sacrifice their lives important 180 years later?” Read the winning scholarship essays below.
Adeliy — KIPP Camino
“Keep under cover boys and reserve your fire,” Smithwick wrote leading back to the Battle of the Alamo. In 1836, General Santa Anna, an ambitious man, was the president of Mexico and would not accept Texas’ Independence. Texas independence would have been an insult to his government and his name. Texans decision to sacrifice their lives is important, 180 years later, because it showed the power of hope and opportunities.
Men like Jim Bowie, William Travis, Davy Crockett, and many more sacrificed their life giving future generations the opportunities to have “a place to live, and an education for their children,” said Davy Crockett. Meaning that under General Santa Anna’s government, freedom and education for all would not be possible because his government was an authoritarian government where people’s voices were not heard. A great example of his point of view toward Texas and Texans were his own words, “Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression.” I think that Santa Anna’s main goal was to break Texas and Texans spirit and their desire for freedom by any means. No matter what the cost was the life of all soldiers, families, and children standing at the Alamo.
At the Alamo, Texans lost their lives, but were victorious because they fought for the future of generations to come. In 1836 Texas gained Independence from Mexico and freedom of Santa Anna’s control, but most important Texans gained the power of having choices and the power of deciding the future of the new country. Texas lost soldiers, fathers and mothers, and many innocent children but thanks to their sacrifice we were able to decide the right path for our people. Otherwise, Texas today would have been part of Mexico facing social, economic and political challenges as the ones our Mexican brothers are facing today. The writer Marilyn Vos Savant wrote, “Being defeated is a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent.” At the Alamo, Texans were defeated, but they did not give up on their dreams. Their meaning of freedom was beyond themselves and their own well-being.
In conclusion, Texans were massacred by the Mexican Army, but their courage at the Alamo became a symbol of resistance to oppression and dominion. Texans decision to sacrifice their lives was important because they showed us the power of fighting for what we believe is right for us. Today we are celebrating their 180 years anniversary of their heroic stand at the Alamo. Today, I am celebrating, and thanking them for giving me hope, for teaching me the power of speaking up, and never give up for me, my family and my country. Today, I am celebrating that I have a voice and it is heard by the people around me, and by the state and the national government. Today I have knowledge; knowledge is power and power is freedom, and all that was secure to us 180 years ago at the Battle of the Alamo.
Arisela — Linton Elementary
In December 1835, a small group of 200 Texas volunteer soldiers commanded by James Bowie occupied a small Franciscan mission located near present day city of San Antonio. As the Mexican force numbering in the thousands approached lead by Santa Anna, the volunteers including William Travis, and frontiersman Davy Crockett, knew the outlook of the battle did not look good. Little did they know how their thirteen day heroic stand would have a great impact in the independence of Texas.
The Alamo and the sacrifices made by those brave people during the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of both pride and honor, and also gives people a feeling of hope. The volunteers who fought that day took great pride fighting for something they believed in. Even knowing the outlook may not have been a good one, they did not surrender. They took honor knowing they were making a difference. The Alamo defenders knew that their actions were for a cause, which later became the battle cry winning the War, “Remember the Alamo.”
Today looking at the Alamo people can still feel that pride. It allows people to believe in something. And something you strongly believe in is always something worth fighting for. It allows you to have hope, even when the outlook is grim. The battle cry “Remember the Alamo” still rings reminding people that your actions no matter how small can have a big part in the future. And when we stand up for those things we still have that sense of honor that we can feel good about. The Alamo brought people together and helped unify this state, and because of that, it is a symbol of those things not only to Texans but to people around the world. That is why the sacrifices made at the Alamo are still important 180 years later.
Jeffrey — Katherine Stinson Middle School
Many have heard the stories of heroic deeds displayed by the defenders of the Alamo 180 years ago. There is no shortage of motion pictures, documentaries, and books which discuss and display historical content regarding the Battle of the Alamo. As a life-long resident of San Antonio, I have certainly been presented numerous facts surrounding Texas’ fight for independence. Some may ask, however, is the Texans’ decision to sacrifice their lives for something they believed in important after all of these years?
In short, the answer is yes! Many things have changed in Texas over the nearly two centuries since the Alamo siege. Since winning its independence from Mexico and being granted statehood by the United States of America, there have been a number of other battles fought by Texans based upon principle. Though some of these battles did not involve taking up arms, they were fights involving great sacrifice nonetheless. From the abolishing of slavery, to the civil rights movement, to women’s suffrage, Texans have regularly been faced with issues calling for the brave to stand up for their beliefs. Occasionally facing death, persecution, or humiliation, residents of Texas have often chosen to follow their own paths regardless of the hardships faced when doing so.
Not only did Texas winning its independence shape modern society and way of life in San Antonio, but it has helped to encourage generations of people to stand firm for what they believe in. Historically, Texans have not often been influenced by what is considered popular by the masses, nor are they drawn to taking the easier route. The sacrifices made by the Alamo defenders in 1836 remain an inspiration for residents of San Antonio, and other Texans, to this day. The battle cry “Remember the Alamo” stirs as much emotion and prompts as many actions as it did 180 years ago. It is with this cry that we as Texans are able to cast our votes in the fall, march every winter for equality, or celebrate our culture in parade every spring. It is those sacrifices that what makes us all Texans at heart.
Gabrielle — Lamar Elementary
In the year of 1836, a group of Texans enlisted in the war for autonomy from Mexico. They showed courage and bravery. Making important sacrifices is meaningful to yourself, someone else’s sake, and for great achievement.
I believe the sacrifices the founding Texans proved how important it is to stand up for a belief no matter how it impacts your life. Granted they sacrificed their lives, we however now can make personal sacrifices to commemorate the liberties we have in Texas. Primarily by learning the history and statutes of our great state. Also, by appreciating how we Texans are unique in our way apart from the other states. However, I feel Texas is one of the backbone states of these United States. I personally will sacrifice my free time to learn and appreciate inherited Texas history. Additionally, I take a personal interest in our community, environment, and surroundings. To include the arts and diverse cultures we have in this great state.
For the sake of others and the next generation I feel it’s vital that young people such as I learn and appreciate the facts of the Alamo and the importance it has not only in this state but nationally as well. I strongly believe in the Alamo’s conservation and preservation. I also feel that’s it’s the responsibility to make sacrifices for other peoples benefit. In fact, as a young Texan I feel it is my duty! Every day we make a variety of choices. Each decision affects our atmosphere. We must use this opportunity to embrace the challenges that lie ahead for others.
No great thing has never come without sacrifice, just like the memorial of our Alamo. It is important to understand and appreciate the triumphs the Texans in 1836 made and pass that on to the young Texans of 2016. Regardless if it was a loss it was eventually a triumph for us then and particularly now.
The sacrifices our ancestors made allowed us to have freedom we enjoy today. As a young lady I feel other children should join to continue the Alamo history and traditions. I would be honored to carry this torch forward at this summer camp.
“I will always remember the Alamo.” -Texas Citizens
Ansh — BASIS San Antonio Medical Center
The day my dad said we are moving to San Antonio, I looked up on web for tourist attractions like anyone else does. The first thing that popped up was “THE ALAMO”. I have visited The Alamo several times on different occasions, and every time I visit it’s a great feeling of pride and honor. Through research and visits to this historical place, I learnt so much more about The Alamo which has cherished its history for the last 180 years now.
The Alamo was built in 1774 by the Spanish empire to educate the Native Americans about Catholicism and the basis of Christianity so the Roman Catholic clergy would spread. It used to be called the mission San Antonio de Valero hence the city’s name. It was abandoned in 1793 and ten years later it was used by the Mexican army as a fort. The Alamo was surrendered to the Texas revolution by a general by the name of Martin Perfecto de Cos. On February 23rd of the year 1836 the Mexican army declared war on the Alamo. Unfortunately the Mexican troops won the thirteen day long war and killed about 252 Texans and 600 Mexicans but, after the Battle of Jacinto the Mexican forces were defeated and the Texans regained the Alamo. Some of the main heroes of the Alamo are Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and all the other defenders. Troops sustained bombardment for 24 hours and yet did not lose a man. They did not let the fort to be taken and waved the flag proudly. Now the Alamo is tourist attraction with all the war and pain behind it. It stands tall telling the story of sacrifice and bravery to approximately 4 million people who visit it each year.
The Alamo after 180 years is a significant piece of monument in the heart of San Antonio. It is very important for cities like San Antonio are migration- prone new and old residents should understand the history of war and all that culture and heritage it has behind its walls. Davy Crockett was also known as the “king of the wild frontier” he was one the main heroes of the battle of the Alamo. The Alamo and Texas became an independent country and was free from the Mexicans for ten years until it became part of the United States of America. John Wayne even made a movie about the battle of the Alamo called “The Alamo”, Disney also made a movie called Davy Crockett (miniseries). The most beautiful thing about the Alamo is even though it has gone through all that pain it is still so breathe taking and reminds us the liberty and patriotism which every American stand for.
Alfonso Gonzalez — YMLA
When the Texans in 1836 made the decision to stand up for what they believe in, they taught us three things -courage, character and respect.
First, I think they showed us courage because if some people try to knock you down, you need to get back up and fight, and show them that you can stand up for what you believe in.
Second, it showed character. By standing up to what you believe in shows that you are strong and have good character. Even though they knew there were a lot of people against them and that they were going to lose, they never give up. This is important today because it show us to stand up for what we believe in, even if we know there are a lot of others against us.
Finally, I know that America was founded by people willing to take a stand for what they believed in. Lots of people risked their lives taking a stand. This taught me respect and how others will have respect for you if you stand up for your beliefs.
For more information about the Alamo’s 2016 summer camp visit www.thealamo.org or call 210–225–1391.
