America just celebrated its historic sesquicentennial, and as a 16-year-old from Ammon, I've come to realize how wise and consequential our Founding Fathers were. In 1776, independence was born, and it was well-planned and thought out. In 1787, the Constitutional Convention worked diligently to develop the blueprint of our nation. Their effort took time and wisdom, but proved to be essential to our experiment: America.

John Adams, the Atlas of Independence and second president of the United States, once said: "You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."

Imagine a musical symphony was formed, and the musicians practiced and performed tirelessly, and on the performance night, the audience spent the entire time on their cell phones. That is exactly what it looks like when our history is forgotten, ignored and underappreciated.

As citizens of the United States, we cannot afford to forget the heritage, wisdom and work put into this country. As we cultivate gratitude for the past, we start realizing our decisions directly impact the future. What we do now to prepare the future generations is the most important matter at hand because the youth are the future.

Tor Capson, Ammon