A Family's Story

Pricila J. explores her family's American story through the eyes of her grandfather.

By Pricila J. from Yreka High School in California

The author uses photos gathered from her family album, interspersed with a few images from Google as the backdrop for an interview with her grandfather, a military veteran, to explore what it means to be American and her family's American story.

Yreka High School

YHS American Creed: A Land, A Creed, A Dream

Multimedia Projects (videos) created by 11th grade students at Yreka High School in Northern California. The movies explores questions students had after watching the PBS film American Creed and captures the thoughts and feelings of individuals between the ages of 5 and 90 within our small community.

Enforcing the Law in a United America

YHS students, Jack W., Sam V., and Will R., interviewed Yreka PD Detective Derek Duncan regarding the American Creed and whether America is really united in our modern world.

America Now

Students interviewed and elderly woman and a retired U.S. veteran to learn their American story. Along the way, interviewees shared their wisdom earned through many years of living the American Creed.

Changes in the American Creed

Interviews of two awesome YHS history teachers with their opinion on what the American Creed is and how it has changed over time based on their knowledge of the history of the United States.

The American Creed: Veteran's Perspective

A brief overview of the American Creed from the perspective of two local military veterans and whether their view of America changed over the course of their service.

American Dreams

Nick wondered about what the American dream is and how it changes over time. He interviewed an older neighbor who had also served in the military to find answers to this question. This is Cecil's American story.

A Foreign Perspective on the US

A YHS student interviewed students from Spain and England while on a school exchange and asked them how they perceived the American Creed. She also asked them to share their thoughts on whether the US was succeeding as a nation.

America: Our Past Defines Our Future

These Yreka students wanted to revisit old footage to see America's origin story and to see how our story has progressed. They interviewed a local business woman to ascertain if today's American principles are the same as yesterday's.

In Search of the American Creed

YHS students, Morgan C., Samantha B., and Louis S., interviewed local workers to determine if American is really united and identify the real American Creed.

Land and the American Dream

Tycen B. and Trenton C. of Yreka High School explored the question, "How does/has land influenced your American Dream?" by interviewing three community members from different perspectives.

The Problematic System

Mary K., Hollie E., and Hero F. interviewed the administrator of our local hospital, Jonathon Andrus. He shared the problems with the current healthcare system and its impact on Fairchild Medical Center.

America's Challenges

Erika S. and Kaitlyn H. interviewed a local dentist, Dr. Trevor Ragan, and a local rancher, Eric Peters. They wanted to hear their perspective on how and why America is not succeeding.

Dreams in America

Callie C., Trinity A. and M. Rodriquez wondered what future generations appreciate about America and what their dreams are for their future. Interviews of students in the kindergarten class at Evergreen Elementary School yielded some interesting answers about America.

Is America Succeeding?

This video answers the question "Is America Succeed?" from the perspectives of a wide range of small business owners in rural Northern California. Additionally, they all make recommendations for how we can help America be successful once again.

Is America Changing for the Better

As we progress as a society, we experience many changes - some of which are good, while others are bad. Miguel C., Tyler J. and Paul B. interviewed Americans who have experienced these changes first hand to find the answer to their question.

Opportunities in America

Taylor F. and Ashley F. interviewed local police chief and military veterans, Brian Bowles. They were interested in learning about his unique story and the opportunities he believed he had being American.

More responses from California

Surprise Me

American Creed

Being an American isn’t only about how you look and where you come from; it can also be about who you are on the inside and what makes you an American. Education is a big part of the American dream & allows people to succeed and improve beneficially.

American Creed: Education and Community

This is my American Creed Synthesis essay.

American Creed

Education makes us aware of our skills, knowledge, wisdom, and we’ll be able to apply these to our situations in life, not only for our own good but also to make the world a better place.

American Fundamentals

It doesn't matter where we come from, or what our backgrounds may be. All that matters, is fundamentals.

American Creed

The American dream is what everybody wants to have. Not everyone can achieve it because they don't have an education which is a big part of the American dream.

American Creed

The American creed is being able to support the next generation by making life a little bit easier. Americans usually have the same shared values like wanting education, community, and family.

American Creed Essay

Freedom is an important part of being an American for understanding different views and progress in society.

How Diverse Americans Understand The American Creed

It talks about how Condoleezza Rice, Joe Maddon, and Deidre Prevett follow and understand the American Creed

Education and Community

The American Creed is education and community as described by Deidre Prevett, Condoleezza Rice, and Eric Liu

American Greed

three different people with different perspectives.

American Creed

Education is a part of the American Creed because it helps us understand who we are and also learn about our history to become someone in the future such as Condoleezza Rice and Dierdre Prevett

American Creed

My essay about education and being american.

More responses about "family", "millitary", and "vietnam"

Surprise Me

My American Creed

How my family has affected my American creed.

Our Forever Number One Fans

Family and community motivate us in life unlike any other person or factor in the world and help us become the best version of ourselves we can be. My parent's immigrant past filled with hard work and perseverance has shown me who I want to be and shapes my American Creed today.

My American Creed

I love to be American creed like home, school, football, freedom, and family. These things make me a American.

My Family's Past

My Writing is about the American Dream my family's past and heritage.

My Family's Past

My Writing is about the American Dream my family's past and heritage.

Give Back To Freedom

This letter highlights different perspectives and strorie​s about what it means to give back. In my short lifetime, I have learned the incredible value of freedom and the sacrifices made in order to achieve it.

My American Creed

I think this image represents what the American Creed is for me.

Dear Grandpa

Years after my grandfather passed away I have written a letter to him explaining how his stories have changed my life.

The American Opportunity

This is about how my family shaped my American Creed through their story and beliefs of how they succeeded.

Biological Family? Perhaps not

What do you believe in? I believe in a sense of community. In this article I will be talking about how my community has helped me become the person I am today.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

This passage is about the process of becoming a U.S. citizen and a specific perspective of that process from the eyes of my parents.

My American Creed

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQw6L2O4IEmyOk2UsL1n_08cRxeysuiP_-Hu3IgU5NNSpvJH_Q1PVA_KaAMiU7M4Www-H5yNQuaha08/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

My Family History

My piece is about my family history and the lessons we have learned through the years.

The American Creed: Veteran's Perspective

A brief overview of the American Creed from the perspective of two local military veterans and whether their view of America changed over the course of their service.

How my family and community connects me to the American Creed

My piece is about how my family and where I live have showed me that the principle of equality plays a big role in America. Everyone is given equal opportunity.

What America Means to Me

I made my digital story to capture how much I appreciate what my country does. I also made it as a tribute to people in the military. My brother was in the army so it was a emotional subject. Because I connected with the topic, I think it made it so much better.

Land and the American Dream

Tycen B. and Trenton C. of Yreka High School explored the question, "How does/has land influenced your American Dream?" by interviewing three community members from different perspectives.

The Freedom of Speech

Why the right to protest is the American Creed.

American Creed:Through a Veteran's Eyes

I am beyond excited to be able to share my grandfather's story not only because I find it touching, but because I think others should know how my grandfather has contributed to my family's American creed.

Generational Poverty in Eastern Kentucky

This is an open letter about who I am and my family's roots.

Family, Community, Service, Education, and Religion

I have created a presentation based on my family's American creed. After extensive and in-depth conversations with my parents, I have learned a lot about my family history and I am excited to share.

How does your family connect to my American Creed.

I state how important education is to my family. I will talk about how education is the key to success.

Entre Dos Mundos

A recount of my own family history, alternating between English and Spanish representing what it's like to be Between Two Worlds.

Why I am American

This is how me and my family have helped out in the community of people who were less fortunate than others, or are growing too old to be able to help themselves, or people who have been hurt in a battle or other accident.

Writing Our Future: American Creed is part of the National Writing Project’s family of youth publishing projects, all gathered under the Writing Our Future initiative.

Writing Our Future projects are designed by educators for educators and the young people they work with. Intended for use in schools, libraries, and other educational settings. All projects are COPPA compliant and educator-managed. NWP is committed to supporting young people’s writing and civic participation by providing a safe and supportive environment for youth writing, media creation, sharing, and publishing.