Being an American: How will you count?

Question: This spring, the government will attempt to count every single person living in the United States in the 2010 Census. How will you count?

As part of the national Census, every household in the United States is required to fill out a form reporting the names and backgrounds of every resident, even newborn babies, homeless people and noncitizens.

The Census creates a national portrait at the start of each decade of who we are as a nation. You can read the questions and see the form here.

ThreeSixty wants to hear how middle- and high-school students in Minnesota see themselves and their place in America. In 200 words or less, describe who you are -- your age, race, culture, class, gender, religion.

Then, tell us how you fit into the picture of what it is to be an American. What does that mean in your life, in your family, and for the communities you belong to?

Kari Neutzling, 17

Cathedral High School, St. Cloud

Regardless of how we got to this country, we are here. And there is no way we were put in America to just sit back and watch life and opportunity pass us by. Being an American means taking advantage of the chance to change the world. We were put here to create change, no matter how small. Whether it is something big, like organizing a mission trip to a foreign country, or something small, like smiling at people you see on the street, living in America means taking advantage of the wonderful life we live. I do not deserve to live in America; I am not better than anyone else because I live in America. However, because I live in America, I have been given opportunities, and throughout my life, I have taken full advantage of them. In my quest to change the world, I have served people in my parish, school, city and state. Soon, I will be taking my service global through a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. My goal in life is to embody the American ideal and change the world.

Ogud Oman, 16

Edison High School, Minneapolis

I'm a black African male. I'm Christian, as are my parents and all my family members. To be an American is not easy, because race matters wherever you go. You can't just consider yourself an American without being born in America, because the way you talk still reveals your background. I tried many things to fit in, but it never works out. It's hard fitting in. Everyone always judges me. They just come up to me and ask what part of Africa I'm from. I just can't fit in no matter what I do or how I act. I see myself as a half-American because I came to America as a refugee, but sometimes it doesn't really matter because everyone is considered American. To be an American, you have to be a citizen. Maybe if your skin is white, no one will identify your background.

Rose Anderson, 11

Olson Middle School, Bloomington

In 2010, I have golden brown hair, sky blue eyes, and slightly blemished, light skin.

In 2010, I am the tallest in my class, skinny, and shy.

In 2010, I am smart, have a lot of friends, and completely content with myself.

In 2010, I'm an all-American girl.

In 2010, I'm me.

Sidreshia Floyd, 16

Armstrong High School, Plymouth

Being an African-American girl with a name like Sidreshia, I barely fit to be an American. Statistics say that since I'm 16 and African American that I should be pregnant and be on my way of dropping out of school. To be an American I think it means that you have to fit the statistics that America sets for the people that live here. I fit into none of the statistics that they set for people like me. I refuse to be a statistic. I'm in school. I'm succeeding pretty well at school; I excel at my sport of track, and my family is all together. I don't want to be a statistic; I want to stay as far as possible away from what America wants me to be. I don't fit the picture to be an American and truly, I never want to.

Sydney Langford, 11

Cityview Performing Arts Magnet School, Minneapolis

Some people don't take me serious because of my age. I'm a girl. I have brown hair with red highlights. I live with my mom, her boyfriend, my sister, brother and dog. The neighborhood that I live in is dirty. Litter fills the streets. There are too many crimes, and it is loud. I am half black and half white. But people think I'm Native American. I listen to any music except country. I write books, because I want to be an author. I don't know my religion. I don't know about what my culture is.

Vong Lao, 14

Eastview HighSchool, Apple Valley

How would a 13-year-old Asian boy fit into the world? How I fit into the world is I count in the Census. One count in the Census is a big deal if you think about it. One person can count as one more people in the Congress. One more congressmember counts as more power for the people of the lower class and the middle class. In Asia one person is not even half a person. How I fit into the society? I fit into the society by having a voice. Having a voice in everything that goes on. Having a voice for the future of our family and for the future of the children.

Lily Fluharty, 16

Home School, Prior Lake

I live in a culture where I'm judged by my appearance, what I wear and what I listen to. My generation is filled with superficial masks that people hide behind to be accepted. I want to show the next generation that it is not about what you look like but about who you really are, when no one is watching. I've been called old-fashioned. If standing up for what you believe in and not conforming to what everyone else is doing is considered old-fashioned, then I am guilty as charged. With so many of today's headlines filled with violence, I want to tell people about the peace that fills my life in spite of the chaos around me. My peace comes from Jesus Christ. As a teen, I have a chance to make a difference and I have a voice that can address difficult issues. I cannot make America a better place on my own, but I know that I have something unique to offer. Me.

Tasha Olson, 15

Faribault High School, Faribault

I am a sophomore at Faribault High School. My family is extremely important to me; I have an older sister, an older foster brother who has graduated and is not living at home, a younger brother and, of course, my parents. The biggest part about me as a person is that I am a CODA, a child of deaf adults. Both my parents are deaf and I wouldn't change a thing about them. Faribault is a great place to live, especially for our family. There is a deaf school right in town, and many people know ASL around here. ASL stands for American Sign Language. It's tough to summarize my life into just 200 words, but you now know the basics of me.

Ashley Chadwick, 17

Watertown-Mayer High School, Watertown

Living in a safe, middle-class neighborhood is comforting. However, if I'm not happy about where I am, I have social mobility. If I work hard, I have the opportunity to become a high-class person of society. I am of a white race, but that doesn't mean that I think I'm better than another person of a different race. Just like in the Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal," and that's the way it should be. I see myself as one puzzle piece of a very large puzzle. The other pieces are made up of everyone else in this wonderful country. No matter how big or small someone is, it doesn't mean that they aren't a vital piece of the puzzle. We all fit together and need each other to make the big picture. I also feel that my life is significant to other people in my community, and their life is significant to me. Everyone counts.

Samira Carlson, 11

Lake Harriet Community School, Minneapolis

I was born in Minneapolis, and have lived here my whole life. My real name is Samira, but I go by Sammy. The name Samira is very unusual in this county. It is an Arabic name that means "entertaining or enchanting." Like my country, I am a mix of different nationalities, which together make me a great, unique individual. I am Arabic, German, Norwegian and Swedish. Each of these cultures contributes to who I am today, a spunky, energetic kid who loves sports, travel, reading, music and friends. Unlike most kids my age, I speak Spanish. My parents take me to a Spanish-speaking country every year to practice. I have traveled all around the U.S. and Mexico, and next summer I hope to go to Europe. My home is crammed full of music, instruments and books! My parents played music and read books to me before I was even born. Now I play the piano and violin. I also have a love for sports! I got the athletic genes from my dad. He is small and fast, just like me. Culture, travel, music and sports are only some of the things that make me unique.