1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?

Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois

Teacher: Pam Bramlet

1st Amy Hart  2nd Eduardo Novelli Valente  3rd Rachel Miller

"Why can't the world we live in be like the one our parents grew up in? It may not have been perfect, but I can guarantee it was better than today. The irresponsible behavior can be blamed on the breakdown of families and the media that portrays it."
Rachel Miller, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois.

"In a society with role models who use drugs and gamble, a society where television shows every ill of society to anyone who will watch, will children find something to base their values upon?"
Matthew C. Winkleman, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois

"In Chicago a group of gang members fell upon two teenage girls who were walking home one night. They repeatedly raped them and then strangled them. They made sure they were dead by standing on their necks. During the trial they repeatedly showed signs that they were proud of being in a case as big as that one. Later a member of that gang was seen on a tape saying the words, 'Life means nothing.' Violence on television also teaches other negative things."
Brad Ziegler, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois  

"On the one hand, the current array of programs leaves federal funds lost in bureaucracy, and little trickles down to the individual families. However, as we unify the child care effort we must be cautious not to forget who this effort is directed to and thus we must not create an excess of regulations that would leave the family relationship stretched any further than it already is. We cannot hope to see progress in the child care system until our priorities are newly designated and the current efforts redirected. This implies setting aside ideology in congressional sessions in return for a little concern for the future of this nation. surely the United States can pause for the children's hour."
Clinton Popetz, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois

"A heavy suspension policy may seem like a good solution, but it is not. It usually results in increased hatred and resentment toward school and rising drop out rates. Suspension should only be imposed in extreme cases of discipline."
Mena Brittain Blair, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois

"A local program which may prove to be very beneficial in our community is a group of high school students called White Hats. There are about sixty White Hats at my high school; our main project is working with grade school students in need of a role model, someone to look up to, or just someone to talk to! Each White Hat is assigned to a grade school student which will be their own little buddy throughout high school, and probably for a lifetime. Children often get confused about good and bad role models, especially when there are none in the home. Being involved in White Hats makes me feel like I am actually making a difference in someone's life, to make a child feel like someone really does care, and to give them someone to look up to. It is important to start kids off right at an early age; to give them morals and values which can follow them for a lifetime."
Mena Brittain Blair, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Illinois

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