1995-1996 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Responsibility: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, And What That Means To The Nation
Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
Teacher : Janet Adams
"In Moscow, Idaho, the University helps keep kids off the streets. They leave one of their athletic building open till about 11 p.m. every night. That way, anyone who want to can go inside and play basketball on one of it's four courts. This gives kids a chance to spend their time constructively.
I have my own suggestion to reduce local gang violence. I say that the Shoshone Camp, a nice secluded area in danger of being shut down, be used as a sort of camp to try and help gang members. Volunteers from the area would be asked to help out and supervise the activities and other happenings at the camp. Counselors will also be asked to go to the camp and have sessions with the troubled youth. Then when a gang member or members get into trouble, instead of sending them to jail; they will be sent to this camp. The length of their stay will depend on how much progress is made with the attitudes and behavior of the person. Once they are there, they will receive chores each week. These chores will include; vacuuming, dishes, laundry, etc. The only thing they won't have to do is cook. Some of the volunteers will take care of that. Their daily agenda will include,: a wake up call, breakfast, recreation time, lunch, individual counseling, more recreation time, dinner and finally a group session with the counselor before bed. This program is an attempt to reach the kids and give them some responsibility and goals. It will be more hand on help and give the kids more of a feeling of comfort, rather than just sending them somewhere they will just feel less wanted.
There are just kids from abnormal environments that need to be taken aside and given
more confidence in themselves and the feeling that someone cares."
Brian St. Peter, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"Almost every school in Idaho requires the seniors to have their chaperoned
graduation party on graduation night in an effort to stop the huge graduation parties
where alcohol is used. Wallace High School was an exception until last year. The many
businesses that donate money, food and merchandise made a deal with the school; if the
party is not on graduation night, the businesses said they will no longer donate. The
school administration withholds the money the seniors raised since their freshman year,
including prom money, unless the party is on graduation night. This shows how the
community and the schools are getting involved in the fight against underage
drinking."
Gina Hulsizer, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"In Spokane, Washington [there] is a group who will teach volunteers to become
advocates for children who have been, among other things, abused. The volunteer goes
through training, then are able to go into court trials with the children to help ensure
the children's rights are being observed during the trials. They are also setting up
advocate programs in Kootenai and Shoshone counties in Idaho."
Jennifer Miller, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"I know a boy who gets stoned before school, during lunch, and on the weekends. He
doesn’t think he is doing any harm, or anything wrong. But I know for a fact that his
grades could be higher and he could do more with his life if drugs were not involved. He
is also setting a bad example for his younger cousin. His cousin looks up to him, and does
drugs too. They steal money to support their habit. They bring drugs to school and laugh
at the thought of being caught. It is all a joke to them."
Rena R. Berkey, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"Recently the Senior English class went to the House of Charity, a homeless
shelter, in Spokane. One of the older men told us of his misfortunes and why he became
homeless. The last thing he said, 'Stay away from the juice(referring to alcohol), it
ruined my life', showed just how alcoholism can ruin one’s life."
Gina Hulsizer, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"Teachers at our schools have tried to solve the vandalism problem by forcing the
students to clean, sand, and paint the desks over if students have carved graffiti in the
desks. If a student writes on a desk and a teacher notices, the student will be confronted
the next day and informed to stay after school to wash all the desks in that
classroom."
Amber Bokelman, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"My solutions have been talked about, but I have added ideas that have never been discussed. My plan has to do with the welfare-to-work programs. They are programs that put welfare recipients to work. People are given a chance to better themselves and be removed from the welfare plan. This plan is excellent because they are not just handed money.
As for the low-income apartments, people that live there should have to do their part instead of always freeloading. They should take turns mowing lawns, raking leaves and shoveling driveways for their apartment buildings instead of hiring caretakers. Not only would it provide the low-income people experience it would also cut down bills for the apartments.
My solution, I believe, will help the welfare recipients feel they deserve the money
given to them."
Emily Schroeder, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"Our high school Drama Club put on a production last year called 'The Addict'. It
was a production about different kinds of kids getting into drugs. It also showed what can
happen to you if you get on drugs. We put on for our local junior high, high school, and
family and friends. We also put local hotlines and names of people to talk to if you're
thinking about or already are in trouble on the programs, which were handed out at the
door."
Aliesha Bachman, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"My plan is to reward those high school students who do not get into trouble with
the law. First, I would establish a committee of parents and students to go around to
local businesses to ask for donations of cash, gifts and almost anything else they would
like to donate as prizes to be given away to students. While this committee is taking care
of this part of the plan, a separate group of students would be formed to organize a
dance. They would be in charge of putting up the posters and arranging for a D.J. Only
those students grades 9-12 may attend the dance, and only those who are in those grades
and have had no brush with the law may go. The police department would turn into the
school a list of any offenders that they have had to deal with and those students would
not be allowed to attend. The dance would carry a charge to get in to help cover the cost
of the D.J. , but with some of the prizes that are likely to be given out it would be well
worth the cost."
Michael Robert LaBau, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"There is not much one person alone can do to make our forests better, but I have thought of something that might help. I think we should help educate the younger children on how to keep our forests running correctly.
First we should get together any high school students that are interested in helping
and plan a camping trip with the younger elementary students. In this camping trip, we
could have Forest Service officials help us take the children out and teach them things
about the wilderness. We can spend the weekend hiking through the woods showing the kids
trees and wildlife and telling them things that they can do to help these living things
live longer. Finally, at the end of the weekend we could quiz the children on what they
learned on the camping trip. Not only would this be a good learning experience for the
kids, but it would also give them hands-on experience on what could be the biggest problem
in the future if something is not done about it."
Ryan Nipp, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"The kids could earn Smokey Money by showing up at every meeting, inviting a
friend, or doing something good for the forest. The money would have Smokey the Bear in
the he center of the bill, like the presents pictures are on the U.S. bills. There would
be. . .different levels of prizes they could buy with their money. . . .Every club member
would receive Smoky the Bear patches. This would keep the kids interested in the
club."
David Richardon, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho
"My idea is to create a chain reaction of hope [in] America through a newspaper
article. First, I will ask the principals of all high schools in my county for the right
to [poll] students. Questions regarding domestic violence will be asked. I will draft the
student's answers into [an] article [along] with the answers provided by Women's Resource
Centers and Health and Welfare services [and hope] the editor of the local newspaper [will
print it]"
Denna Jae Todd, Wallace High School, Wallace, Idaho