A Flower in the Garden

By Kaitlyn Myrum

  I remember every bit of that night like it had just happened. I remember seeing you as I walked in. “He still hasn’t seen me in my dress. Maybe I can blow his mind.” I feel as though I blew my own mind. I strode confidently in my highest heels. I smiled and beamed hoping to catch your eye. I can relate my experience to a flower garden or a greenhouse.

I stood tall as I saw him walking around. There were so many other beautiful flowers and plants around me. However, maybe, if I stand taller than the other flowers, I can catch his eye. I stretched myself up higher than ever before and shed my drab old petals. I beared pink, maroon, champagne, and gold colors. I tried to look as beautiful as possible. Another plant was placed beside me; she was more beautiful than myself. I slouched and gave up. You looked at her first and ignored me. My petals were cast down and were about to fall when I felt you pick me. You gazed at me like I was the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen. You stepped once, then started waltzing with me around the greenhouse. You sang to me softly. My leaves weeped in happiness. You held me close and danced with me all the way to the counter. You wanted me. My petals turned up once again and I was shining with the brightest colors. I stretched as tall as I could and stood proudly. Now I’m in your garden. I’m right out front so you’ll see me every day. You sit next to me on the cool soil and you talk to me. You tell me about your day and you tell me stories. You claim  that someday you’ll make me real so I can be with you. Before you leave me every day to go to rest, you tell me I’m beautiful. Even on the days when my colors turn drab and I start to weep and wilt, you still remind me that I’m the only flower in your garden.

Voting Age Changes

In the 2000 voting election, out of the 18-20 year old population, 11.9 million, only 28.4% reported that they actually voted. These teenagers who don't vote, sometimes don't know how to vote. If teens the age of 16 and older knew how to vote, they would know who is right for our country's existence. Some schools may only skim the surface of how voting works and what the government is like. This speech will tell you more about my thoughts on this situation.

Why do I feel so strongly on this subject? Well, we should all want our future leaders to know what is best for the U.S. and its fellow citizens. We need them to make good and the right decisions for our wonderful nation. Teens the age of 16 should be able to vote. Why? By this age, students should be mature enough to make decisions for themselves. They can use that ability to vote for the right needs for our country. My next point is a plus for the government, the 16 year olds can vote more times than teens who start at the age of 18.
You should think of course, isn't there something negative hat could come from this? Why, now that a I think about it, there is. Some 16-18 year olds still don't understand the concept of voting. For those who have voted but didn't understand, they may not have known what was best for our government. This may have lead to bad governmental decisions. Some 18 year olds still choose not to vote because they think that their vote doesn't matter. Truly, you can understand that this is why the government doesn't allow teens under 18 to vote.
If the government did ever pass a law to permit this, it would be hopefully something like this. The age for voting will be dropped to 16. These teens would be only able to vote on certain problems or subjects. These 16 and 17 year olds would be able to vote for state leaders, representatives, and new or to-be-reinforced state laws. These teens will be granted more voting rights when they turn 18. The younger aged students should be able to make better decisions but maybe not. We wouldn't know because the voting age is still 18.This is a serious issue and only you would wonder why I would have such a strong opinion on something so grown-up.
Again, teens the age of 16 should be allowed to vote. Schools should also make a better effort to teach more about the government and the purpose of voting. If you think the same of this subject, talk to your parents about it. You can always learn more about our government. If you really wanted to take this really seriously, you can always write a letter to your governor and address this case as someone the age of 24 would. Hope that the governor would help it become a real law instead of just a lousy dream/idea..Even if it wouldn't go that far, you can always have the thought that someone else will MAKE it go that far.