Changing Our National Anthem

I’m currently an eighth-grade student and I’m 13 years old.

I don’t think the national anthem should be changed. The anthem is 110%, it’s more American than apple pie and blue jeans. The national anthem should be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of America.

If the anthem is ever changed I would highly suggest, “America the Beautiful” over Guthrie’s classic. I admire Guthrie but when I think of “This Land Is Your Land,” all I can think of are little children because it’s childish, it’s a step down from our national anthem, not a step up. I doubt that anyone over the age of 15 could seriously stand in the middle of Dodger Stadium and sing “This Land Is Your Land.”

Instead of turning to an old song I suggest that America be modern and write a new one, or do the most intelligent thing and keep our present national anthem.

LAURA STOKES

Montebello