Asbury Park Press

Has Donald Trump been good or bad for America? Boy, did we get an earful, and eyeful, on that question, which we posed in this month's Student Voices essay and video competition. Students in grades 7-8 tended to be supportive of Trump, pointing to his role in improving the economy. In the grade 9-12 category, the majority of responses were critical of Trump. "If Americans can't have a family dinner without all hell breaking loose, is Trump really making America great again? I don't think so," wrote Elizabeth Black of Point Pleasant Borough High School. Said Alexander Lynch of Lacey Township High School, "The Trump administration has, instead of actually solving any of the problems, given the people scapegoats for what they see as detriments to our country," Read and listen to the winning entries below:

First place winner: Grades 7-8

It's time to dump Trump

It was a normal Wednesday. I woke up at 6:30 to the lights in my room flickering like lightning. My mom squealed, "Rise and shine!" I splashed some water on my face, brushed my teeth, and went downstairs to eat my breakfast, normally some gluten-free cereal (that's another story). With homeroom starting in 20 minutes, I grabbed my bag and went to wait in the car for my mom to drive me and my friend to school (we'll probably be late again).

But something different happened that day.

As I was walking out, I saw on the television the headline, "Trump Separating Babies From Parents At Border." I typically don't care much for politics, but I stopped to look and listen.

On the screen, there were horrific scenes of babies wailing, parents screaming for help, and officers arresting people. The horror on these people's faces made me feel like throwing up my gluten-free cereal. What in the world was going on?

I get that these people are attempting to enter our country illegally. I get that many might think this is wrong. I even get that some might think this sort of behavior should be punished. But how could any person think this treatment of human beings is called for?

It was literally in that moment that I started to realize that maybe President Trump isn't so great for America.

Those of us born in America take for granted that some people live in unsafe places. Places where wars or gang violence are happening all around. If we lived in one of those places, I bet my parents would want to do everything they could to get me to safety. I imagine this is what these immigrant families are facing.

But our President thinks the answer is to build a wall to keep all of the "bad people" out. His answer is to fuel racism by encouraging stereotypes about immigrants. His answer is to rip crying babies out of their parents' hands.

As my mom yelled for me to get in the car that morning, I continued to stare at the television. I saw a pretty clear picture of President Trump's America. And it is not what I want my America to be.

Tyler Borack

Memorial Middle School

First place video winners

WATCH: Second place video winner

First place winner: Grades 9-12

I don't have the knowledge to answer that question

The last time I talked about politics was when my teacher built a tent in the classroom and had us go in one by one to vote. I was in first grade. Since then anything to do with politics was just something I heard my parents talk about. I didn't feel the need to ask questions. To me only adults could talk about it. Looking back at 2008 I bet my first grade teacher still does not have her students vote in class. I know my vote was based off of what my parents said around the house. Parents probably frown upon their political opinion being shared with the class like show and tell.

It's not that kids don't need to know about stuff going on in politics, because truly I think they do. But the fact is in 2019, time has changed since I was 8 years old. It is looked at as "not okay" for teachers to talk about. I believe with knowledge at school kids would be able to have a better idea of what is going on in the world today. History classes are based off what happened in the past but what about what's going on in the present?

To be honest when I was told I had to write about if Donald Trump has been good or bad for America I just stared at my teacher. I didn't understand how I could write about a topic that I know nothing about. And that's when it really all hit. I know nothing about politics or what is going on with not only our country, but others too. Which is scary to think about. The future of the world is relying on a generation that doesn't know how to look up from a screen for more than two minutes. So my answer to this question is I don't know what Trump has or hasn't done for this country. But I am now willing to take a step into the right direction to find out.

Brenna Byrne

Point Pleasant Borough High School

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Second place winner: Grades 7-8

The bad outweighs the good with Trump

Donald Trump has done a lot of good, but I think he has done more that is harmful. On the Washington Post's list of the 10 worst things Trump did in 2018, there are issues that a president just cannot justify. After everything I have heard and read in the newspaper, I think he has been bad for America.

While the economy is in a better position than it has been in years and more jobs have been created, while the U.S. is now the biggest oil producer and while he created opportunities for women in the CIA, i can't get past what Trump said about El Salvador and Haiti. As a president, you cannot say hurtful, immature words about anybody. You just can't.

Another item listed on the list of worsts was the way he chose to deal with Sen. John McCain's death. Even though he did not like him, as president there are certain ways to act when a political hero passes. McCain made it known he did not want Trump at his funeral, but shouldn't Trump have acknowledged it in some way?

The newspapers say Trump was also unwelcome at Barbara Bush's funeral and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding because of his behavior.

In addition, I don't understand how a president or anyone 72 years old would tweet that people are "dogs" or call them "horseface." Shouldn't he know these kinds of tweets are not appropriate and they are cyberbullying? Shouldn't he act like an adult?

And, what about shutting down the government when he didn't get his way over the wall. The longest government shutdown in history affected more than 800,000 federal workers.

I am also in shock about Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort, who worked for Trump and who are now in jail. Those poor men did what Trump asked them to do and they ended up serving time for it.

With all the evidence, I strongly believe that some of Trump's decisions are unforgivable. No matter how good the economy is (which is important), as president you have to be a decent person and a good role model. I do not think Trump has made America great again.

Olivia Conner

Seashore School

Second place video winner

WATCH: Third place video winner

Second place winner: Grades 9-12

Dinner in Trump’s America not good for digestion

I can hardly believe it. My poor parents slaved over the stove all morning and then drove my siblings and I to Grandma’s house, just for this. The family held it together for appetizers and chitchat, but as soon as we sat down at the table, it happened. Uncle Randy just couldn’t take it any longer.

“Ew, what kind of cheese is on these potatoes? Mexican? You know, this is why we need a wall.”

Everybody falls silent. One brave souls coughs awkwardly and asks for the salt.

Okay, maybe he’s done. That wasn’t so bad. Just a failed joke.

“Oh, come on people. I’m only kidding!” exclaims Uncle Randy, “It’s not like I’m racist.”

Groan. Please stop.

“If I hated Mexicans, would I let Maria near my house?

Silence. “You know, Uncle Randy,” sneers cousin Jill, “If you want to prove you’re NOT racist, you probably shouldn’t use your underpaid and overworked COLOMBIAN housekeeper as an example!”

Suddenly, everybody is yelling over each other. Jill is being scolded for disrespecting an adult. Uncle Randy is arguing with his wife about why we can’t have just one nice dinner and Grandpa is banging his fists on the table like a judge with a gavel while Grandma mindlessly cuts her chicken into bit-size pieces.

In 2018, the Pew Research Center found that 57 percent of people agreed that talking about politics with people they disagree with is stressful and frustrating. Compared to 45 percent just two years ago. According to The Atlantic, ABC News found that 37 percent of Americans experienced increased tension with relatives or friends because of the 2016 election.

How is this related to Donald Trump?

Because Donald Trump is everywhere. If i tried to spend one day Donald Trump free, I couldn't do it. Even though he's blocked on my twitter, I see reposts of his tweets. I can't watch the news without hearing about some new ridiculous event. I can't go to school without seeing a MAGA shirt. At work, I sell a pair of socks imprinted with Trump's face, a tuft of yellow hair, and a mini comb.

In Donald Trump's America, there is no escape. If Americans can't have a family dinner without all hell breaking loose, is Trump really making America great again? I don't think so.

Elizabeth Black

Point Pleasant Borough High School

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Third place winner: Grades 7-8

His biggest accomplishment has been dividing us

On September 19, 1796, President George Washington delivered his farewell address. It was only his second term. He could have continued serving, as there were no time limitations. People were shocked to learn about him stepping down. Washington never wanted the country to be split with political parties. Unfortunately, years later it happened. We let our first president down. Republican, Democrat. That’s all some care about. Some vote based on their party choice. They don’t even care about who the candidates are; they just vote for their side. It is destroying the country. Just like Trump is. He is dividing us in ways we could never have imagined.

Trump has been president for over two years, causing controversy. He acts like a child. Look at his tweets. A president should use Twitter for positives — to make the country aware of current events, but Trump is using Twitter for evil. He calls people out and gets into petty arguments with politicians and the media. A few months ago, Trump tweeted about the former head of the FBI, and called him a “Slimeball.” That’s a word a 5-year-old hears and then uses to bully others at recess. Trump is absolutely toxic.

His presidential campaign was met with skepticism. There are allegations that he colluded with Russia during the campaign. It’s unbelievable. When is the last time you heard of a candidate possibly working with another country to better his chances of election? Never! But it is actually something that Trump is accused of doing, and he may be guilty! What happened was that information was leaked about Trump’s rival and about the Democratic Party as a whole. Russia was most likely responsible for leaking it and the FBI is currently looking into whether Trump was involved.

It is a fact that President Vladimir Putin, Russian president, wanted Trump for the office.

Maybe these are just claims people are using to desperately remove Trump. We will probably never know the truth because the investigation is ongoing. It is still up for debate if Trump is fit to be the president of the U.S. If it were up to me, he wouldn't. He has divided our country in ways George Washington could never have imagined. He has called out the Democrats and further separated the two parties. We’re all Americans fighting for the same thing, a better America. Unfortunately, it is not up to me; I don’t have a voice because I’m just a kid. There are a lot of things this country has to fix, and Trump isn’t the answer.

Brendan Brouder

Memorial Middle School

Third place video winner

Watch: Honorable mention videos

Third place winner: Grades 9-12

Title

The past two years have been devoted to "[making] America great again" also known as MAGA. Our current administration has indeed made America great again, by bringing our society back to a time where old, rich, bigoted, white men controlled our government. These men, instead of focusing on the future of our country, are stuck in the past. Donald Trump's administration has given the underlying hate in our country a catalyst and an outlet through "MAGA." It has given the white hood a new face by staining it red and calling it a MAGA hat.

The Trump administration has, instead of actually solving any of the problems, given the people scapegoats for what they see as detriments to our country; illegal immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, women and many more. Previous to MAGA, tolerance was increasing in our country, and while the underlying hatred was still present, it wasn't fully detectable, and it wasn't a unified hatred. Giving a voice to the people who can't accept others' differences gives them a purpose and a reason to oppress. Since 2016, hate crimes have doubled in the United States, making it an even more dangerous place for minorities, and this has been largely due to the intolerance of Trump and his administration.

A leader should be someone who people will look up to, that people want to follow. The reality is people want to be led, and people will follow someone put in charge. Donald Trump has been an influence on the American people and because he's in such a high position of power, people will listen. He actively promotes hate and nationalism on his social media and through his speeches, but because he's the president, people will listen. Although some will argue that nationalism and patriotism can be a good thing, kindness and tolerance can be better. Perhaps if that was what he preached, people would listen.

Alexander Lynch

Lacey Township High School

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Honorable Mention Winners: Grades 7-8

Jared Gutman, Grade 7, Ocean Township Intermediate School, Teacher: Joanne Devito

Abhilash Bodala, Grade 8, Millstone Middle School, Teacher: Linda Nuzzi

Loa Katz, Grade 8, Spring Lake Heights Elementary, Teacher: Nicole Kirk

Honorable Mention Video Winners

Mackenzie Berger, Gianna Perrone, Adrianna Hendrickson, and Madison Berger, Grade 11, Point Pleasant Borough High School, Teacher: Susan Kuper

Eamon Sullivan, Grade 8, St. Leo the Great, Teacher: Mrs. Lianne Brock

Alexa Rossi, Grade 11, Point Borough High School, Teacher: Shannon Orosz

Honorable Mention Winners: Grades 9-12

Finn Wright, Grade 12, Christian Brothers Academy, Teacher: Despina Manatos

Kelly Beuka, Grade 12, Freehold Township High School, Teacher: Cheryl Lanza

Jenna Striffler, Grade 11, Lacey Township High School, Teacher: Anita Soto