<strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">Kimberly Thelen </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;"><br />
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</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;"><img width="201" height="254" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/thelen_cropped.jpg" /><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Daughter of Brian &amp; Rose Thelen<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Fowler High School Graduate<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">GPA: 3.99<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Salutatorian<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Organizations: National Honor Society, Band, 4-H, Students Against Destructive <br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Decisions, Piano teacher for four years, Active in her church, altar server, Children&rsquo;s</span><span style="font-size: larger;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">Liturgy of the Word Assistant<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: larger;">College: Will be attending Baker College of Owosso majoring in accounting</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">KIMBERLY THELEN ESSAY:<br />
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I believe that our country&rsquo;s founding leaders had a clear vision of the role of the federal government.&nbsp; James Madison and other founding fathers made this apparent in the Constitution of the United States.&nbsp; Here they laid out their ideas of an ideal, but not perfect government.&nbsp; They envisioned the government as being the voice and protector of the people.&nbsp; The role of the federal government should be to do what is best for the United States as a whole while trying to keep the best interests of the people in mind.&nbsp; The government should also protect every person&rsquo;s unalienable rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and happiness.&nbsp; Our founding fathers also defined what the role of the government is by establishing the three branches of government.&nbsp; The legislative, executive, and judicial branches each have a precise role in our government according to the Constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp; I believe they wanted the government to be a strong and dependable force in our lives, but not to be too controlling or big.&nbsp; They showed this by establishing that our country&rsquo;s economic system is free enterprise.&nbsp; This way, people can make their own decisions while the government can provide for essential public services.&nbsp; Therefore, I believe our founding father&rsquo;s vision of the role of the federal government is to act on our country&rsquo;s and people&rsquo;s best interests while not being too big.<br />
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; While our country&rsquo;s founding leaders&rsquo; vision of the role of the federal government has not changed, it still remains very relevant and important today.&nbsp; The United States is in a recession right now, and does not seem to be coming out of it soon.&nbsp; Our country is currently facing the biggest deficit we&rsquo;ve ever had, currently at over $14 trillion.&nbsp; Millions of unborn children have been killed due to abortions because of the Roe v. Wade case.&nbsp; The government is imposing job-killing laws that put more regulations on businesses.&nbsp; There is too much reckless and irresponsible spending going on in Capital Hill.&nbsp; The list can go on and on.&nbsp; This is where the federal government needs to step in and realize that these things need to be stopped.&nbsp; First of all, the federal government needs to protect the right to life, including unborn children.&nbsp; The government has to protect the most innocent of our society.&nbsp; The government needs to reduce spending immediately and decrease our dependence on foreign oil to stimulate the economy.&nbsp; Raising taxes is not the answer to our spending problems, so cuts must be made.&nbsp; I believe the government should have some regulations on businesses, but not so many that we cannot be competitive in a global economy.&nbsp; The government needs to identify what is proper and necessary for the good of the public, and eliminate what is not.&nbsp; For example, President Barack Obama&rsquo;s budget for 2010 had a deficit of $1.555 trillion. This is an outrageous number, let alone that is only for one year.&nbsp; The U.S. Representatives just passed a bill that would reduce federal spending by an unprecedented $38 billion.&nbsp; This is hopefully the beginning of reduced spending and more responsible use of our hard-earned tax money.&nbsp; <br />
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In conclusion, I believe the federal government needs to go back to its roots and look upon our founding leaders&rsquo; views of government.&nbsp; They need to be reminded of what the role of the federal government was intended to be.&nbsp; Only then will we see the necessary reform that is needed in Washington D.C.<br />
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