We are so excited to introduce to you the winners of the Second Annual Sweet Flower Home Essay Contest! The senior students at Buckeye Union High School were given the opportunity to write an essay about what home means to them. I am very vague in the instructions of the contest because I feel that makes the student dig into their imagination and personal experiences to decide what home means to them. These two students did an excellent job and I’m happy to share their essays with you! Enjoy!
The first is Kayanna G. Martin our Essay Contest Winner. She is a student athlete with many accomplishments in FFA, FBLA and Varsity Swim team.
My Home By Kayanna G. Martin
As I sit down to write this essay, I am plagued with a blank mind. I have sat and combed through all of the sayings and slogans “home is where the heart is” and “home is with you”. I am sure these sayings ring true for some people, but in my life experiences, I cannot truly relate to just one of these ideas. For me, home is not just a 5-10 word saying, home is wherever I make it. Home is in the relationships I make, the places I go, and most importantly in my faith in Christ. Home is not just a place, home is not just people. Home is a combination of all things in my life and in the memories I have made, and the ones I will make in the future, all of this guided by my blind faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
When I think of home, the first thing I think of is where I live. Currently I live where I have lived all of my life, in Buckeye, Arizona. Because of the fact that I know this town like the back of my hand, Buckeye will always be a home. Buckeye is where I went to school and where I learned to drive. Buckeye is where I first fell in love and where I grew up. Despite the fact that Buckeye is the first place I think of when I think of home, that does not mean it is the only place I have found a home. I have found a home in Heber, Arizona where I have spent summers making memories at Future Farmers od America Camp. I have found a home in Peoria, Arizona where I have stayed endless weekends with my cousins and my grandparents. I have found a home in Ogden, Utah where my family lives and where I go on Christmas and warm summer weeks. While I only live one place, I have made a home in many places, and I will continue to make a home in places to come.
If you asked anyone who knows me, or knows of me, they would tell you that I am a people person. I love making new relationships with people and maintaining old ones. Home is about finding comfort in where you are. I have found comfort in the relationships and bonds I have made with people. Every minute of free time I have is spent with people I love or hope to one day form a bond with. For me, home is in the moments spent with others, in the memories and inside jokes, in the sad and happy days. Home is knowing I have people to love and people who love me. My friends and family could never know how much their company and our relationship means to me.
At the end of the day, if all else fails I know without a doubt that I will always have a home in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 41:10 states, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand“. The security and hope I get from knowing this, is the only home I need. While it is nice that God created beautiful places and people for us to enjoy, when it is all over and I take my last earthly breath, I know I will be on my way to my one true home in the Lords Kingdom. Therefore, while I love my home here on earth, at the end of the day, my true home is in heaven with Jesus.
Overall, home does not just mean one thing to me. Home is not only one place, but home is anywhere I make it. To me, home is in the places I love with the people I love, all backed up by my security and home in the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me. Without Jesus, nothing means anything, it is because of him that I have anything and everything I have.
The Sweet Flower Home Essay Contest Runner-Up is Emma Troub. She will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall Majoring in Agricultural Technology and Management & Education. She has had many accomplishments in FFA and FBLA.
What Home Means To Me By Emma Troub
I was born in Glendale, Arizona at thunderbird Hospital. We lived in Tolleson my first year and then moved to Peoria while we built our house in Buckeye, Arizona which I now call my home. With my family of seven, you could often see us attending the different community events such as Buckeye Days Parade & BBQ, Glow on Monroe, and especially Hellzapoppin Rodeo and Demolition Derby. I always enjoyed the many community events and the members of out community. Our community has always welcomed each other with open arms and made others feel welcome. Growing up in such a community has played an important role in my life. Buckeye is an agricultural based community; this ahs allowed me the many opportunities to learn about agriculture. Considering I now hope to pursue a career in Agricultural Education, I would say Buckeye has “grown” me into the person I am today.
While I often traveled throughout Arizona as well as the United States through FFA, I have found myself “homesick” at times. Many often may miss their bed, their house, or their family; while all these were a part of my homesickness, I also realized how much I missed my entire community. I missed being able to go out to breakfast in town with my family, running into friends while we were out. I also missed the kind smiles and waves I would receive from strangers as I drove down the streets of town. To me, home is not only my house, but my community.
By the time I reached high school it was easy to notice hoe supportive out community is. Throughout my four years at Maricopa County Fair I realized how unique our community is. Out of the sponsors at county fair, I found many of the sponsors dwelled in the Buckeye area. My first time I went out to auction off my goat, I was so worried my goat wouldn’t sell, but the members of my community didn’t let me down, they raised my goats’ price to $14/lb. This is when I learned it wasn’t about the animal at all, but about the community supporting the kids. I have also seen the generosity of our community through their support of our schools and organizations such as FFA. Community members are always willing to donate their time and money to support their community and to help kids to grow. This is what “home” is, a community working together to support their future generations. Home is not a place, but rather the people of that place.
While I have observed the generous people of my community, I have also tried to give back by becoming a Buckeye FFA Chapter officer. I have tried to help other FFA members grow into leaders, not only in our school, but in our community. I am currently running for Arizona FFA state office, hoping to promote agriculture and leadership throughout the state of Arizona. I will also be attending the University of Arizona this next year earning a degree in Agricultural Technology Management and Education. I plan to use this degree to become a high school agricultural educator as well as an FFA advisor. My goal is to support my students through their agricultural projects, as well as support my community by attending different community events, giving to the community, and also doing different community service activities. I hope to give back to the community that built me. My home is my community.
I hope you enjoyed these two student’s essay! I hope that they will be inspired to make home where you heart is in the years to come!
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Carrie
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