The survey is based on the top 3,000 essays in the 2009-2010 Being an American Essay Contest sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute.
The top “civic values” cited by students included,
1. Perseverance
2. Courage
3. Equality and Respect
4. Entrepreneurialism
5. Responsibility
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6. Liberty
15. Activism
18. Progress/Common Good
The top heroes/historical figures included,
1. Thomas Jefferson
2. Abraham Lincoln
3. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4. George Washington
5. Thomas Paine
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7. John Adams
8. Barack Obama
15. FDR
Which civic values are most important to you? Who are your heroes, past and present?
