7/28/2004 12:00:00 AM -

America is a country full of hopeas and dreams.  Many people come for freedom, happiness, money, and a opportunity to own their own property.  As money is becoming tighter and real estate is becomeing scarce owning a home is more then a reality for many youths in Southern California.

The American dream of owning a home stems from many different believes.  A lot of people believe that owning  your own home is a sign of wealth, which, to many, is a big part of the American dream.  A home is also a sign of freedom and security.  Freedom from the harsh outside world and security from it.  Another reason is the idea of family.  A home can represent a lot for many people.

My dream of owning a home originates from my experience of growing up in a house.  Through at times living in a home with all my family at times gets on my nerves and cleaning up can be a pain I love the feelling of security, love, and happiness I feel at home.  Upon coming back from vacation it is nice to see friends and tell them about your adventures, but nothing beats the feeling of walking through the front door and being home again.  The countless memories I have growing up; playing with neighbors, sitting by the fire place, having parties; are priceless and could not have been the same with out a home.  Owning my own home is a dream.  I want my children to grow up with feeling of love, warmth, and security that a home offers.  I say owning a home is a dream because it is becoming harder and harder to be able to find a nice home at a nice price, yet I cannot imagine living in a place that I do not love, care about, or have memories in.

"Home sweet-home." A place of security, freedom, family, a place where dreams can come true.  I would truly be a different person if I did not grow up in a home.  The dream of owning a home is so great to many Americans they will sacrifice their time, money, and work to have a place where they can belong.  Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz sums up the feeling of having your own home pretty well when she said,  "there's no place like home."  There truly is not place like home and that's why it is my American dream to own a home.

By Jessica Lohmann - Grand Prize Winner

Modena Hgih School, Orange, CA