That’s the intriguing question that some fifth grade students from St. Anthony Park Elementary School sought to answer in an essay contest sponsored by the St. Anthony Park Branch Library Association for this year’s July 4 celebration.
Here are answers from the top three winning student essays:
First place — Inaaya Ikram
About 250 years ago, the people of the United States chose George Washington to lead the Continental Army. After helping win the American Revolution, he became the first president of the United States of America,
But what if he never died in 1799? What if George Washington travelled to the future — to the times of 2025, in our world today?
It started on the day President George became president. As he finished his oath ceremony outside the federal hall in New York City, something strange happened. He saw two girls dressed in very unusual clothes and an aura around them drawing the president towards them. They looked like they were from the future.
“President George!” one of them smiled at him. “You don’t really look like your paintings,” said the other.
President George was confused and asked, “Who are you?”
“I am Michelle and this is Greta. We are scientists from the future,” one girl said cheerfully. “And we need your help now more than ever.”
President George didn’t know what to say. The girls explained that they wanted to bring him to the future to learn about what America had become — and to see what he thought. To do this, he had to pretend to die back in his time. They would take care of everything.
After thinking it over, President George agreed. Soon, he jumped into a time machine and landed in the year 2025. His first thought: “Everything is so fast, big and loud.”
He saw tall buildings called skyscrapers, cars rushing by and people using tiny machines to talk to each other. He visited different states (there are 50 now), tried new foods and even met the President of the United States.
But President George was also surprised by a few things. Many people didn’t seem to trust their leaders. Some were mean to each other on the Internet.
He was sad to hear about problems like pollution and climate change. President George loved nature and was shocked by how different the air and weather felt.
Michelle and Greta asked him lots of questions. “What do you think of our clothes? Our technology? Our world?”
George thought for a moment. “America has grown so much. I’m amazed by your inventions. People can travel far, learn fast and speak freely. That’s wonderful.
“But I also see that some people are angry and divided. We must remember what unites us is our freedom, honesty and working together.”
After a year in the future, George became sick because of the big change in climate. Before he passed away, he told Michelle and Greta, “Tell the people of America: Never forget how hard we fought for this country. Take care of it. Take care of each other.”
So, President George would be proud of our accomplishments so far and he would be amazed by our inventions and innovations. But he reminds us to be kinder, more united and to protect the land we built together. Just like what he said back in 1776.
Second place — Arnav Jagtap
If George Washington could come back and see America today, the first thing that would happen is his wooden teeth would probably chatter from shock — and not just because of the air conditioning.
He would have a lot of feelings: proud, amazed, confused and probably scared out of his colonial pants. But mostly, I think he’d feel proud of what America has become.
First of all, George would be super proud that America is still a democracy. People still vote and choose their leaders, just like he hoped. He will be amazed at how much America has grown.
Back in his day, there were only 13 states and now we have 50. That’s a lot more.
He’d also be happy to see so many different kinds of people living here from all over the world—different colors, languages, foods (he would love pizza).
He would be stunned to hear that we even went to the moon! And now we are talking about going to MARS. George Washington probably would’ve fallen off his horse if he heard that.
Second, he would definitely be SHOCKED by progress in technology. Imagine his face when he sees a car drive by. He’d probably yell, “Where are the horses?”
He’d be stunned by airplanes, cell phones and the internet. He’d probably think texting was witchcraft. “What do you mean you don’t need to send letters with ink and a feather?!”
And if he saw a dentist today, he’d be like,” “Where were you when I needed real teeth?” He might even try to trade his wooden teeth for braces. Modern medicine would totally blow his powdered wig off. He’d probably think doctors were wizards — and let’s hope he never sees Harry Potter or he’ll think the hospital is run by Hogwarts.
He would also be amazed to see lights turning on with just a switch instead of using fire. He’d probably stare at a lightbulb for 10 minutes and say, “Where’s the candle?”
But not everything would make him happy. He might get mad seeing crime in parts of the country, He’d be really worried about how divided American politics can be now. George liked unity and compromise, not yelling and fighting on TV.
He’d also be sad to see pollution and litter on the ground — he liked clean nature and fresh air, not soda cans in rivers and chip bags on the ground. He might start a whole clean-up army.
George would probably be a little upset that so many people stare at glowing rectangular boxes instead of talking face to face. And if he saw that some people don’t even take history seriously anymore, he might cry into his tri-cornered hat. He might say, “Do they know who I am?”
In conclusion, George Washington would probably think modern America is part amazing, part confusing and worried. But mostly, he’d be proud of the country he helped start. Even if he still couldn’t figure out how use a TV remote.
Third place — Adeline Moody
George Washington is one of the most important figures in American history. He helped build and create America 250 years ago. He fought for our country and led our people through difficult times. The question is what would he think of our country today?
I believe George Washington would have many thoughts on ways we could improve or amend our home. I believe he would have ways he would want to perfect us and strengthen us.
I think there are many things he would be upset about or disappointed. But most of all, I believe he would be proud of us in all the ways we’ve grown and developed over the years.
The United States of America has become one of the most powerful and respected countries in the world, which was probably an absurd thought in Washington’s time. Only in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that America would ever become something very much more than “that small country overseas.’ If only he could see us now!
Our country has some of the most respected universities and schools in the world, a result of their research and academic excellence! As a child who was mainly self-taught, George Washington would probably be exceedingly proud of our investment in learning.
George Washington once said: “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” Our abundance of knowledge would mean very much to him.
One thing that we Americans are very proud of, is how we launched the only spacecrafts to land on the moon, as well as having the first airplane in the sky. This was an amazing accomplishment and I’m sure that Washington would be excited right alongside us if he were here.
Some other great engineering accomplishments are from when Eero Saarien built the gateway arch and Gordon Kaufmann helped build the Hoover Dam, both of which are staggering creations to come by. We would never have been able to build these wonders if it weren’t for our education helping bright minds along in their dreams.
The USA also created many game-changing technologies such as air conditioning, cell phones, email, refrigerators, typewriters, drones, personal computers, digital cameras and much more.
The United States has a known reputation for these inventions and become a global leader in science and technology particularly since the early- to mid-1900s.
Our education also played an important role in these advancements, seeing as we likely wouldn’t be able to even begin exploring these inventions without a proper schooling.
Our country is filled with intelligence and talent, which has helped us grow our country little by little. George Washington would be very proud in all the progress we have made since July 4, 1776, nearly 250 years ago.
Photo cutline: George Washington Portrait by Gilbert Stuart. Public domain.