1998 Winner, Jaclyn Mals

This man, I’m told, was an immigrant,

arrived when he was young,

seven dollars in his pocket,

spoke only a foreign tongue.

Miss Liberty greeted him at the shore,

and he smiled with great relief,

a new beginning was ahead,

in freedom, her torch did reach.

The years ahead were an adventure,

new language, new customs, and ways,

his children were his tutors,

to prosper in his days.

This man was my great grandpa,

and if you look around,

his story is quite familiar now,

in this multi-cultural crowd.

He gave us inspiration,

to welcome all who roam,

and light the way like Miss Liberty,

for those with no land to call home.

So whenever you meet a person,

who comes from a land that’s not free,

show them all they can be in freedom,

like Great Grandpa, Miss Liberty, and Me.