Congratulations to meandpaul, 15, of Minnesota, the December award winner in YWP's monthly Tomorrow Project contest! Read the winning piece, "Freedom," in response to the challenge, American Experiment. Meandpaul will receive a $50 gift from YWP and publication in the January issue of The Voice. Each month, a YWP writer or artist is honored with an award and publication for their responses to the Tomorrow Project challenges. (See all challenges here.)

The American Experiment Challenge: What does it mean to be American? Can we still find the answer in the Declaration of Independence — that each person has the equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Freedom

By meandpaul

when i was thirteen i held a wrapper in my hand 
covered in red white and blue lettering 
a tribute to the land you once loved dearly 

but along with so many things you once loved 
it floated away with the wind 
looking for a better place 
where the freedom 
we all once had 
still remains 

Tomorrow project challenges