1996-1997 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
1st Eric Johnson 
2nd Tara Petersen
3rd Jason Dunnett
3rd Ruth Marten
"I believe that responsibility is taking chances and choices, and mindfully
thinking about the consequences of those actions. Not only that but also thinking through
how the choice we make will affect ourselves as well as those around us."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"In another attempt to gain money, relatives of a man who froze to death sued the
bus company who left him out in the cold. The man had been kicked off the bus in Newton,
Iowa, because he attempted to start a fire and burn another passenger. He paid dearly for
his actions, butt his relatives wanted the bus company to be blamed for his death. The
money that they seek will not help the dead man, so their lawsuit is only for personal
gain."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Right here at our very own school we had four teachers named 'a Most
Inspirational Teacher, based on a survey at Western Illinois University. What does that
say about responsibility? That shows me that one need not look any farther than the people
who educate us. All teachers play a vital role in showing us that we need to be
responsible. If we have teachers who are widely acknowledged and recognized, that gives
us, the students, a great example to learn from."
Nick Parchert, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The John Lewis Coffee Shop opened in 1989 as a coffeehouse to shelter the
homeless. It was named after John Lewis, a homeless man who died in the cold of January.
With the help of the community, the John Lewis Coffee Shop has expanded from being just a
'coffee shop' into six buildings housing various programs to aid the homeless. Besides
providing shelter and food, it helps the homeless get needed medical care and job
training. Caring donations and support from local individuals and businesses have been the
key to the John Lewis Coffee Shop's successful start."
Eric Johnson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Luckily for us, for every person refusing to be held accountable for the
decisions they make, there are many more people who care enough to try to make a
difference in improving our world. These are the people who are not only responsible for
their own actions, but also willingly take a stand in helping out others who are in
need."
Tara Petersen, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"I ask, is responsibility an action, or is it just another word in our vocabulary?
Is it just a word we use to sound more adult like? It seems like we have lost a sense of
purpose in the way we live. We choose to hurt anyone but ourselves."
Brent Wilson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The act of being responsible is being able to make moral and rational decisions
on your own, and being able to answer for your behavior."
Ben Goodnight, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Breach Menders is an organization that buys old, run-down, dilapidated houses in
the 'rough' inner city neighborhoods of Rock Island. They buy the houses at a very minimal
cost. After Breach Menders buys a house, its experienced carpenters and volunteers take
over. The carpenters repair the house not only to livable condition, but to its historic
condition with personal touches. While completing the house, Breach Menders interviews
applicants and picks a person or family that is hard-working but could not afford a house
of their own otherwise. As part of the agreement, the new homeowner must agree to work an
allotted amount of time repairing the house and to continue maintaining it in the future.
Breach Menders' success story included remodeling 45 homes since 1981. We must not forget
that programs like Breach Menders would not be able to survive it if were not for the help
of volunteers."
Eric Johnson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"As young children we were very quick to judge others. We thought we were superior to everyone else in every way. As we grew up and got older, we graduated for that stage of extreme self-centeredness and discovered that we were not perfect. We understood that we all had problems and it was our own responsibility to correct them... In each of us there is a sense of understanding that must be reached when we grow up. That sense of understanding is reached through responsibility. Responsibility of knowing what it is we have to do and doing it.
Once again, our lives all hinge around responsibility. Without responsibility things
would not function smoothly. With no goal insight, values disappear and fall by the
wayside. We should all be responsible for our actions and not be afraid to get involved
with the problems."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Responsibility and community was demonstrated when the river swelled over the
flood level and threatened to destroy a good portion of my home town. The way that
everybody in the community pulled together, donating food, volunteering time, and helping
their neighbors, really made me feel good, and that things can be done if people decide to
accept the responsibility for doing it."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"I believe that a more responsible world begins with each individual. It's kind of
like building blocks. Each responsible person helps to build a more secure and caring
structure."
Meghann Lynn Downey, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Responsibility is not just worrying about your own problems, but helping others
in society who are in need."
Josh Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"It's honorable to be responsible, but not many people care about being honored or
responsible. When someone says, 'I'm responsible,' they get no response. We need to put
the response back in responsible."
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"There was a case that involved two young teenagers who had graduated first in
their class. They were both expected to excel. As most young people do, they had sex and
when the child was born the father killed it. The reason is that nobody knew about the
pregnancy and he thought if he disposed of the evidence everyone would still think highly
of them."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"People growing up today have everything taken care of for them, almost spoon-fed
to hem. After they are born, they really do not have to take on many responsibilities
until after high school. It is not something that is taught in the classrooms, and it
cannot be because truly being responsible has to do with experiences. The more
responsibilities a person takes on, the more responsible that person will become."
Mark Freyermuth, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Some people say 'Why should I take it upon myself to do what is right?' 'Who
really wants to take the blame when a person can pass their faults or shortcomings on to
someone else?' 'I had a bad childhood! It's my parents’ fault. My shortcomings are
not my fault, it is society's fault.' I think they are all excuses, people not wanting to
take the repercussions of their actions. Responsibility is defined as, 'moral, legal, or
mental accountability.'"
Jason Schluenz, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A girl was talking to her friend over the telephone. When her friend tried
telling her a racist joke, the girl told her she did not want to hear the 'stupid joke.'
To me that is very cool. I do not understand how people can act so immaturely towards
other people. Any prejudice is awful because if we were all supposed to be the same color,
sex, or religion, we would have been created that way."
Emily Hughes, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"There are only a few rules to live by:
1) Take responsibility for your actions; 2) Be considerate of others; and 3) Teach your
children morals that will help them develop into mature adults."
Shannon Crowley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"From the time I was in pre-school, I was taught that if I took something out, I
should be the one to put it back in its spot. Learning this was one of my first lessons in
responsibility. This sounds like a small lesson that would not seem to impact the whole
nation, but this small lesson is impacting the nation. When children do not receive this
lesson early, they soon grow up without a sense of responsibility. Responsibility means
looking at yourself as an individual and taking care of yourself and your commitments.
This comes into play many times in our lives, and sometimes we either misjudge what we are
getting ourselves into or we just leave the responsibility for another.
People are not born with a sense of responsibility. This must be taught to us. If this
is not a part of growing up, the signs of irresponsibility show up even before we are
adults -- in school. I recognized this as early as fifth grade when a student in my class
turned to a student next to him and asked for the answers to the homework assignment. I
knew it was wrong as I listened to the student who had worked all night long working out
solutions to the questions give away all her hard work to someone who did not even know
what he was taking from her. He took the pride away from the kids who worked hard because
he got the same recognition from the teacher for getting the same grade as all the kids
who took responsibility for their own homework.
Another example of irresponsibility is the fact that some people do not admit to
themselves when they make a mistake. The problem is that they do not admit this to others
involved, either. A good example of this is when school kids receive tests after they have
been graded, many times the response is, 'What'd you give me?' In my opinion, the question
out of their mouth should be 'What'd I get?' -- if they have to ask a question at all.
The latest example of irresponsibility I have seen in high school comes with being on
the pom-pon squad. We have a rule in our constitution that states, 'A decision will be
made by the coach as to who will not perform because they do not know a routine well
enough...' This year, our new coach decided never to use this rule. Well, the fact that
she rejected this rule, I believe, has made some of the girls, especially the newer ones,
think that practice is the only time they need to work on the dance we are learning. This
is just fine except for one thing -- our reputation for putting on a great performance is
sliding. I don not sense the kind of work ethic I experienced being new to the squad. I do
not sense responsibility, or as much pride, for that matter, from the newer girls on the
squad. The squad had a great reputation when I was a freshman. By the way we slack off in
our responsibilities as a squad, it is no wonder our reputation to put on a great show at
half time is sliding. At practice, I feel the newer girls should be working up to my
level, not making me feel as though I am sinking to theirs by having to go over dances
that they should have learned a day or even weeks ago. I make sure I learn the dances on
time , why don't they need to?
However, just as we have many irresponsible actions taking place, there are always
people there ready to take on more responsibility than is asked of them. These are the
people that are, in a way, heroes to me because I hope I find it within myself to do what
they do.
As I mentioned before, our squad has a few girls on it that do not take time to
practice at home, or call others to find out about a move in a dance, etc. How do they
learn the dances, then? Well, there was a specific time when a senior on the squad came 30
minutes before the game we were to perform at, to help these girls with the dance. She had
homework and other things she needed to get done, but she gave her time for the good of
the squad. This, I feel is an important contribution.
Before we perform, we have about three to four practices to learn a dance. The girls
who already know the dance, have practiced at home, and paid good attention at the
practice, do the dance "full-out" during the whole practice so that the girls
who do not know the dance can see what it looks like to do it "full-out".
Because one of the best deeds a person can do is help out a person in a
new...environment, I think the next example of positive action is special. I knew an
upperclassman, once, Angie, who recognized how much one freshman looked up to her. She
took time out of her busy schedule to get to know this freshman and help her through her
questions about her new high school life. She made sure that this freshman was comfortable
in the activities they were both involved in, and encouraged her to stay with these
activities because she was gifted at them. I was that freshman.
Still, I think the best example of taking on extra responsibilities goes to my best
friend, Elisa. She has gotten me out of sticky situations countless times. Once I forgot
to bring my key to lock up the store where I work, and I called her. Without hesitation,
she drove 20 minutes into town to help me lock up. Time after time, she would throw
parties at her house for all of us at work, and she'd pay for everything. She would always
make sure we were all having a good time, then she'd make breakfast in the morning. She
works tirelessly to make sure her friends are happy. It is hard to believe that all this
generosity and hard work comes form one person! ...[ Let's] start teaching our children to
put back what they get out, clean up what they spill. Responsibility can begin at a young
age... remember that each [American] is told he is free - free to make his own choices,
free to think for himself, free to be responsible. [Responsibility] is what being 'free'
truly means."
Laura Nichols, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"My church group sent a van full of food and supplies, along with a group of
twelve young adults, all ready to help a foster group who takes in and helps abandoned or
abused children."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Another successful program is the Youth Drop-in Centers. The Youth drop-in
Centers are for school-age children to attend after school. Many of these are partially
funded by and located in area churches. The drop-in centers offer a safe environment for
kids to have fun and study. A safe and helpful environment is what is sometimes needed for
at-risk children to succeed in school. For additional academic support, tutors are
provided by local community colleges and community volunteers. Keeping the children busy
helps keep them off the street and out of trouble. In addition, the centers help raise
self-esteem and develop responsibility. Helping children get through the critical teenage
years is of great importance.
The City of Rock Island and the police department sponsored a Christmas lights tour for
the elderly. 1,700 seniors citizens rode 55 buses... Thanks to programs like the Christmas
Lights Tours, the elderly are not forgotten in our fast track lifestyles.
Eric Johnson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The last example of responsibility applies to very few people it seems. It is
living your own dream. Often times, we try to please one another by trying to make
everyone happy. The people who deserve the most respect are those who dedicate themselves
to what they like to do. In order to obtain what we love, we must sometimes stray from the
'pack' and live our life how we want it run. Too many times I hear people saying they are
going to a college or they are getting a job because that is what their parents want. Live
your life how you want it. Even though it might seem like such a small decision now, you
may look back and regret living your life to another persons standards."
Brent Wilson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A nine year-old girl from a local community has been fighting cancer since last
August. Since then, friends, classmates, and family have been raising money to defray the
cost of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. After four thousand dollars was raised at an
October fund-raised, the Lutheran Aid Association donated an additional two thousand
dollars."
Nick Parchert, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Recently, in a community not far from my own, a woman was rewarded for her good
will. The woman called Christian Friendliness ( a local charity) to ask for a crib for her
neighbor. The organization discovered that woman and five of her six children were sharing
one old, thin mattress. The organization looked for beds for the family. They found a
bedding store willing to donate a bunk bed and a king-size mattress. Christian
Friendliness is still looking for a crib for the woman's neighbor."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A group of students at a nearby college decided they would help out the less
fortunate. This group of eight went door to door asking for donations. They came away from
almost every door with something for the needy. The total donations filled three pick-up
trucks and were given to a homeless shelter in town."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Only a few days ago, when the husband and father of a family in my church died,
nearly everyone in the church offered to help. Many pitched in to bake, serve, or clean up
for a luncheon after the funeral. Others prayed for the family and took over any duties
the family could not handle. My church helped out because we wanted to and because we knew
that it was our responsibility."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Two local newspapers sponsored a fund-raiser just before Christmas called the
Dispatch Good Fellow/Argus Santa Fund. Together they raised almost $39,000. The money
raised was used to buy food, toys, clothing and gift certificates for the needy. The
recipients ranged in age from young children to the elderly."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A small town in Texas has formed the Midland Community Spirit Award. It honors
communities that pull together for the common good. It has distributed awards for ridding
communities of drugs, overcoming natural disasters, and many other completely selfless
acts."
Tara Petersen, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"In better news, area farmers turned out in droves to come to the aid of an ailing
farmer, Russell Marston. Early last fall, he had an aneurysm, which left him unable to
bring in his crops, so all of the area farmers took a day off from their own fields to
help a fallen comrade. They chose a beautiful Saturday afternoon and worked well into the
night. All of the wives were there to help Shirley Marston feed the hungry men. The day
was a complete success with all of the crops brought in before the rain."
Amanda McKay, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Volunteers also assume responsibility in churches all over the country. My church has
many volunteers that help in various ways to help this church community remain active.
Each Sunday there is a different greeter at the door of the church. Volunteers also help
clean the church on a monthly basis. Families volunteer every other Sunday to serve coffee
and doughnuts during a time of fellowship."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Despite all the ignorance in this world, some people are willing to stand up for
their actions. These people are from my community, and believe that responsibility for
things they have done is important. My first example, a teenage male, is responsible for
two different, yet related, actions. He has pursued Boy Scouts and recently received his
Eagle Award. 'Don' has taken a lot of verbal abuse from his fellow classmates, but he
stuck it out to reach his goal. I dropped out after my Arrow of Light award. I had been
teased about being in the troop, and so I stuck it out until I found an easy place to part
company with my brothers. Don is also involved in a local church. Even though he is a
senior in high school, he is still an altar boy. He does this because he feels that
sitting in the congregation isn't enough in the way of participation. I am very proud of
Don's accomplishments.
My second example of responsibility is a female teen. She was raped by her boyfriend,
but rather than having an abortion, she went ahead and had the child. 'Marilyn' decided
that putting the child up for adoption was the best solution for all. She doesn't believe
in abortion, and didn't feel she could raise this child herself. I'm glad it is a choice I
will never have to make, but I think she made the right one.
Next, I offer you 'Joe.' He goes to college, works full-time, and supports himself and
his girlfriend. Even though he could have inherited a house for just paying the taxes, Joe
decided it would be better to work for what he has. Their apartment isn't large by any
means, but it is spacious enough to have people over. His girlfriend did an excellent job
of decorating the place, and she keeps it spotless. He has been a friend to me since we
met, and she has been like a big sister to me for the last couple of years. As long as
they are home, I always have a place to go.
Fourth, I offer you another post-high school, teenage male. We'll call him 'Jim.' He
has a full time job at a local grocery store, as well as a temporary full time posititon
with John Deere. Jim has just leased a new car, proving to his mother and me that someone
will loan him money. Of course, his mom had to co-sign the papers. He has already paid for
two vehicles since he got his license, but he'll be working on this one until I'm out of
college. He is also responsible for watching his younger sisters. They always need to be
run here or there and his mother is usually gone. Jim had to learn a lot in his life the
hard way. His first automobile was a lemon. without money to spare, Jim had to teach
himself mechanics. Jim deserves my respect for all that he has gone through to get where
he is.
David Wait, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois <
"The youth
group from my church...traveled down to Missouri to do numerous chores, such as painting,
building, and even picking ticks off the dogs. We learned that everyone is not as well off
as us. The youth group got a taste of the real world, and we tried our hardest to give
these people a chance to know what it is like to be accepted into society."
Brent Wilson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"During the 'great flood of '93'... there were literally hundreds and hundreds of
people volunteering to fill sand bags, walk the dikes looking for weak spots, and starting
food and clothes drives for those unfortunate individuals who lost their homes. Many
people were surprised by the way neighbors or sometimes complete strangers, banded
together to hold back the water. People do not know they have it, but deep down inside
they have a desire to help and in a way be 'the hero.'"
Ben Goodnight, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Being responsible, also can mean being very unselfish and giving. Every time the
news comes on, somebody has won millions of dollars in some game. One gentleman decided to
change the story, by giving his prize money to a charity he supported. He gave up his
retirement, his chance never to have to work again, and hundreds of wonderful material
possessions to groups of total strangers. It is amazing how all the caring individuals,
can make up for almost triple that of selfishness."
Ben Goodnight, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The Rockridge National Honor Society, once a month, organizes a PB & J Night
(Peanut-butter and jelly) where we make hundreds of sandwiches for the John Lewis Coffee
House located in Davenport, Iowa. Our organization has also fed the homeless at St. Joe's
in Rock Island, Illinois. Helping these people who cannot survive on their own gives all
of us a sense of accomplishment. These acts of generosity also show our effort to take
responsibility for things we can help to change in our area."
Shannon Crowley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"People assume responsibility by taking active roles as leaders or advisers in Boy
Scouts. Without adults taking active roles, this group of young men would cease to
exist."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Through example, we can be good parents by teaching our children to respect and
care for others, become successful and productive, and learn that if they want something,
they need to work for it."
Elisa Tomich, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"My old neighbor and his girlfriend had a baby when they were still in high
school. Instead of claiming that it was not his and running, he stood by her side and took
on full responsibility. He got a good job straight out of high school, and is supporting
all three of them. He is one of the most devoated fathers I have ever met. Whenever I see
him, I feel a great sense of hope for our American family."
Meghann Lynn Downey, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"One example of a school's responsible actions is my own high school's National
Honor Society group which organized and helped participate in a soup kitchen for a local
shelter. The group has also organized a blood drive and makes sandwiches once a month for
a coffee shop in Davenport, Iowa."
Josh Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Another example of responsible high school students is our school's Peer
Resistance Training group. This group visits local schools in their district to talk to
young grade-schoolers about the importance of not giving in to peer pressure. They
emphasize taking responsibility and steering clear of drugs and other bad
influences."
Josh Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The Hearts and Hammers project helps rebuild or refurnish elderly people's houses
or the houses of those who can't do it themselves. These responsible things show that not
everyone is self centered."
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Mark Basker, a Republican running for U.S. representative from the 17th District
in Illinois, showed our community a unique example. While preparing to speak in an
inner-city part of my area, no one showed up for the speech. Instead of giving up, he went
door-to-door discussing issues with residents. By giving this extraordinary effort in a
not so Republican community, Baker took on a responsibility to get his goal accomplished.
Karl J. Strosche, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Whenever I hear these true stories of irresponsibility, I get discouraged and
upset that our nation is sinking so low... I then recollect stories that prove that
responsibility still exists. One such story is of a teenage girl who found a diamond ring
on the floor of her workplace at closing time. It would have been very easy for her to not
have told anybody about it, taken it, and to trade it in for cash. But instead she turned
it in to the store owner and a woman came in looking for her engagement ring the next day.
The ecstatic woman was very thankful to get it back. This must have made the girl feel
good that she had done something that made someone else so happy."
Gina Gilliland, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Not everything that people do is necessarily wrong or unimportant. Many people do
a lot to help each other, even total strangers. During the flood of '93 everyone and their
brother was helping out in the community. People were taking time out of their day to help
fill sandbags and build levees. Many of these people were not even effected by the flood
waters of the Mississippi, but they gave to the community anyhow."
Christopher Parchert, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Another example of responsibility is when the Reynolds youth group went to
Montana, and helped to build a whole house, and it was all volunteer service. The youth
and their leaders that embarked on this journey knew that the work would be tough, and
things probably would not be that fun, but they went anyway. They knew that this would
greatly help someone in need, and that is why they did it. This is a great way to
understand what responsibility is all about."
Mark Freyermuth, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A pair of dentists in the area are called the 'kindness corps,' because of one
reason they help people. Doctors John Cannon and Al Hathway are making a difference with
the less fortunate children of the area. They come around once a year to drill cavities
and help toothaches, all of this for no charge."
Jason Schluenz, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Jim Brown, football star and small-time actor is making a difference in small
leaps and bounds. He founded a program called 'Amer-I-can', which helps former convicts
and gang members. he offers alternative to the streets or a life of crime. If everybody
uses their resources they have America would be in a lot less trouble."
Jason Schluenz, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Amongst all of the irresponsible people, there are responsible ones. It is amazing how some people will get together to help strangers. A fifty-two year old woman with Lou Gehrig's disease had never seen her seven month old twin grandsons, until , some Quad-citizens donated $1,800 to fly her daughter and four children home to see her." Emily Hughes, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Many schools out in the country are poor. Aledo is a small town that mainly has
retired people living there. Since older people do not have children in school, they do
not want to pay higher property taxes to make their schools better. Royal Neighbors of
America donated forty used computers and other high-tech equipment to Aledo Junior High
School. Royal Neighbors has challenged many other companies to 'make a difference in the
community' and donated used computer equipment to schools that can not afford them."
Emily Hughes, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A group of Black Hawk volunteers and others form the Quad Cities recently created
a park where a notorious biker bar once stood. The project was done in conjunction with a
nationwide 'Make A Difference Day.' About 30 people participated in Black Hawk College's
Moline and Rock Island projects, spending from one hour up to a whole day working. It was
stated that it was 'an opportunity for those who are usually too busy to take time out to
make a difference.'"
Elisa Tomich, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Illegitimate lawsuits cause hurtful situations like backing up the court system
with stupid complaints, and wasting the taxpayers' money by paying for the legal circus
that our courts have become today. There is a cost for those who do not win the court
case, but there is also one that is ultimately paid for by the real victims in the whole
ordeal. The real victims are the thousands of people who seek justice and fairness from
the system, but only find it flooded and exploited with stupid cases such as this."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"As I read through the paper I saw that one motorist who was fined for not paying
the toll on a local bridge used a very convincing line to possibly point a finger at
someone else. He tried to justify his actions by placing the blame on everybody from 'the
others' who had not been caught, to his 'grandmother,' who was supposedly about to have
surgery at a local hospital. The irresponsibility displayed by this one individual may not
seem that bad at first, but when the public has to pay higher toll costs, because of the
actions of such careless people, it goes to show once again how the majority suffer
because of the lack of responsibility by the minority."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Another case of irresponsibility which has been in the public eye is the death of
the six-year-old-pageant star, JonBenet Ramsey. Her death alone was confusing and tragic
for her family and those who knew her. What adds greatly to her family's suffering is
seeing her autopsy photographs in a tabloid magazine. This shows some of the most
irresponsible journalism displayed by any publication ever. The magazine wanted the fame
from publishing the photographs and thought not once of the family involved. Although the
negatives of the photographs were recovered, the magazines were not recalled. No respect
was shown, no decency, nor any semblance of responsibility. Why?"
Jason Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Although he does not ask for money, a high school teacher in Paris, France, acts
very irresponsibly as he instructs his students. In his philosophy class, the students
challenge him with riddles. For each puzzle that he can not answer, he takes off an
article of clothing. When he did not know the solutions to many of the students' riddles,
he was left standing naked before the class. I believe this is not appropriate role model
behavior for a teacher. His job is to teach philosophy, not riddles and definitely, not
anatomy."
Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Little three year old, Jerry Nelson lost his brief life because his mother stood
by and watched her boyfriend pummel her poor, defenseless son to death. But there is even
a more tragic story behind this. Within the last for to five years, there have been five
cases of this in our area. In all cases it was the boyfriends who are killing these
helpless children, in some cases infants. In some instances the mothers were also
convicted of murder. These people are not fit mothers. They are not responsible enough to
make sure that their own kids are safe. If they are not going to care about them, then why
have them."
Ben Goodnight, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"One case recently was three friends that decided to have a night of fun drinking.
The bar they were at just kept serving them. On their way home they drove much too fast
and were involved in a terrible accident. They lost control of their car and all three of
them lost their lives. Their families tried to blame the bar, saying it wasn't the kids
fault they had too much to drink."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Our society is overrun with people who disobey orders, defy logic and have
questionable integrity. Responsibility has been set aside, making way for the do
what-has-to-be-done attitude. Whether it is right or wrong, legal or illegal, people do
it. It's not responsible to get pregnant, then get an abortion. Giving up on a marriage
without working at it is irresponsible, and hard on the children. Not thinking about
others, that is irresponsible. Suing someone else for your own stupidity is irresponsible.
Stealing money is irresponsible. Driving while under the influence is irresponsible.
Taking responsibility is the first step to adulthood, so our country is made up of a
lot of kids. Their minds are on things other than responsibility. Money is one of them.
People are always looking for the easiest way out. A lot of times the easy way out isn't
the most responsible.
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"In my opinion, divorce is irresponsible. Two consenting people make vows to live
with one another till death do they part, and they end up separating. There are some
extreme cases, when divorce is really necessary. And whenever children are involved, they
get hurt the worst. It is irresponsible to just say, 'I give up.' It would be responsible
to say, 'Let's work at this. At least for the kids.' One good note on this; divorce rated
have gone down in the Quad City area.
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"In my rural division a new member of our Road and Lake Association volunteered to
be the treasurer and handle all of the money in the account. Sounds responsible, right?
Wrong, He embezzled our money and wrote checks to himself. We didn't have enough evidence
to convict him, so he got away with it. Now he's moving. How can a person have the nerve
to deceive nice, honest people, and feel good about it. I can't understand."
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A man allowed his picture to be used on a billboard sign for commercial use. When
the billboard was completed, the man claimed that the eyebrows on the sign were not
pictured correctly and that they made him look 'evil.' He then sued the billboard company
and received money for damages."
Gina Gilliland, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"As with the Virginia special education teacher, victimization has taken a toll.
The teacher sued in federal court after she repeatedly failed to achieve a minimum
acceptable score on a standardized national test. This teacher claimed she was
discriminated against because she had a handicap of not accommodating her slowness in
understanding written and spoken information."
Christopher Parchert, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"It seems as if everyone in this world is becoming a victim. There is an addiction
for almost everything conceivable. In one incident a man broke into six homes, stole
money, and burnt every house to the ground. Since the man was a user of anabolic steroids,
the judge ruled him not responsible because he has 'organic personality syndrome.' One of
today's most popular addiction is sex. There are now sex-addict support groups, and
Sexaholics Anonymous. One man pleaded innocent to the charge of sexually molesting his
daughter, on the grounds he was addicted to sex. I think responsibility was thrown out the
door on this one. Sex addiction does not even exist according to marriage counselor Marty
Klein. These two incidents show how our judicial system makes society more irresponsible.
Until our judges view people for who they really are, irresponsibility will linger
throughout the court systems."
Mark Freyermuth, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, two freshmen in college commit one of the most
heinous crimes against humanity after they dispose of their baby in a dumpster, wrapped up
not in swaddling clothing but a garbage bag. One night as Amy goes into contractions the
couple decide not to go to a hospital, but a motel here they gave birth to a miraculously
healthy baby. Then they throw the baby into its final resting place, a garbage bag where
is suffocated. This is clearly a case of children without souls. The dark side of kids who
have everything is that they cannot handle one blemish on their smooth lives."
Chirsitopher Frere, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A Geneseo man sued the owner of a faulty ladder after he had fallen off it. The
owner of the ladder happened to be his elderly mother. Mr. Glawe stated that his mother
should have provided him with safer equipment...He also missed seven days of work and
claimed the injury [ to his heel ] caused him to retire eleven years early. Mr. Glawe sued
for $1.45 million of his mothers estate. His wife also asked for $350,000 for her losses
from his injuries. They were rewarded $60,000 all together. Mrs. Glawe was ninety years
old when she received a summons in the case. She died August 11, 1996 before the case
ended."
Emily Hughes, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"One example of moral and legal accountability is marriage, especially the
big-time marriages of Hollywood. Actors and actresses go through marriage like candy.
CharlieSheen, for example, was married for twenty weeks before hard times hit and a
divorce ensued. Sheen compared his failed marriage to a 'broken down car.' How can our
elders be married for forty plus years, and our generation cannot even make it twenty
weeks. It shows a great lack of moral responsibility. 'Til death do us part,' does not
even mean anything anymore. Jeff Wilson says 'It begins with 'I do' and dissolves into
'I've had it' '. There is also the legal aspect of marriage. Now making a prenuptial
agreement is the 'in' thing, thought to dissolve all problems of divorce. 'What's yours is
yours, what's mine is mine.' Even the proceedings for divorce and the prenuptial agreement
can cost thousands of dollars. Maybe people should try working through their differences
before they go through divorce proceedings."
Jason Schluenz, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Irresponsibility seems to be everywhere in our nation, and across the world.
However, these cases are the only ones that receive the publicity and are covered in the
media. There are countless more cases of kindness and responsibility as close as outside
your front door. They simply cannot, and are not all covered in the media today. They are
not high profile cases, just common everyday people doing what they know is right in their
hearts."
Jason Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Words can hit as hard as a fist; parents should think before they say such
phrases as 'You're more trouble than you're worth' or 'I wish you were never born.'
Children believe what their parents tell them, so take timeout. Don't take it out on a
child. We need to control our anger and take that anger out on something other than a
human being. The key words are 'responsibility' and 'control'."
Elisa Tomich, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"To me, making a child believe in himself is the biggest achievement anyone can
do. Role models must have huge expectations of themselves to live up to the people that
idolize them. Without Michael Jordan, the game of basketball would not be so inspiring. We
want to live the dream that is the reality. These role models must maintain such inspiring
composure to motivate people like us, which in itself requires responsibility."
Brent Wilson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The bottom line is that if you want something done right, then you should just
get up, and do it yourself. Maybe you, have either some extra money, or free time that
could be used to help someone else, or put an end to your biggest complaint. I do not
think people set out to find excuses or point a finger at someone else, but sometimes
things happen, and if we all took on a little more responsibility, and saw that we took
care of ourselves and our actions the world could presumably become a slightly better
place to live and love."
Rod Huntley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"More volunteers and people following their hearts would go a long way in making
responsible and kind actions more popular than harsh and unkind ones. Only then will this
fog of irresponsibility be lifted to reveal the true good in all of our hearts."
Jason Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Volunteers and community spirit are what is needed to conquer irresponsibility.
These qualities must be promoted through the local groups quietly taking care of some of
our societal problems."
Eric Johnson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"All of these acts of tenderness showed responsibility and maturity, but they all could be improved. Many of them were 'holiday giving.' The homeless, jobless, and poverty stricken are taken care of for one day or maybe a month, a holiday season. How are they helped throughout the other eleven months of the year?
I believe that the answer is simple. We all can continue to give throughout the year. I can ask my church to get a box for donations for each month. Maybe the newspapers can hold fund-raisers every two months or so. Other holiday funds and organizations can seek out the needy and give all year long.
Besides working though organizations, I believe that all of us should take it upon ourselves to lend a hand. Everyone is blessed when we, as the bumper sticker says, 'Commit random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.'" Ruth Martens, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Oseda McCarthy donated $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi. Ms.
McCarthy, who is well in her 80s never attended U.S.M., or any college, for that matter.
In fact, she never finished junior high school, but that never changed her mind about the
value of a good education. All the 70 years she worked as a washer woman for Mississippi's
upper-crust, she put as much money as she could in a savings account. Now, one lucky
student each year gets a portion of that money to better their chances of having a college
education."
Amanda McKay, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The solution to this problem seems simple. What would happen if everyone lived
their life as if every choice they made or path they decided to take were his/her own
responsibility?"
Tara Petersen, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"All these essays teenagers are writing about their responsibilities are very
nice, but why don't you ask these teenagers if they tried to change the problems they
wrote about. I bet that over ninety percent have not even considered doing something about
their complaints. The reason for them to write this essay is just because it is another
assignment. The true meaning of this essay is not to write 750 words about what people
want to hear. The true meaning of this essay is to inspire yourself to make a difference
Too many people look at this like an assignment. They should look at it like it is an
opportunity."
Brent Wilson, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Maybe I still do not know what responsibility is, but know I have a better
understanding of what it means to be responsible. The only solution for these
irresponsible people is to make them realize what they are doing by always blaming someone
else. If they do not start answering for their behavior, they will never be able to stand
on their own and take care of themselves."
Ben Goodnight, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Offering your time and energy to help others who are less fortunate is an
important part of making our society a better place to live."
Shannon Crowley, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Citizens of today probably have a higher vocabulary of excuses than of words. If
anything happens, it's not their fault. We need to stop worrying about what is easiest,
and do what is right."
Josh Peschang, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"As I searched through the mass of political news in research, I finally realized
what few Americans do not: there is good in politics. It may be hard to find, but it is
there. By continually demanding bipartisan efforts out of our elected officials, we will
see results. With our votes, we must make it clear that partisan bickering will get us
nowhere."
Karl J. Strosche, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"I ask myself, what can be done to make society see that irresponsibility is wrong
and unfair? If responsibility is able to be lost, it most certainly is able to be found
again. This can only be done if people themselves want to make a change in their values
and standards and actually make an effort to gain back what has been lost --
responsibility."
Gina Gilliland, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"My plan with this carelessness with irresponsibility is to have everyone donate
time out of their busy, selfish lives, to do something worthwhile for the community. We
need to donate time by helping the homeless and feeding them meals, or fixing up a shelter
for them to keep them out of the rain while sleeping at night. City parks and playgrounds
need a lot of restoration, to make hem look nicer, and also to make them safer for the
little children who play at them. Parks are made to look beautiful. They were not put
there in mind to be an eyesore, but the parks I have seen are not being respected. All
people, young and old should enjoy a beautiful park, to feel a sense of relaxation. We all
also need to do something about the pollution of litter , and engine fumes. People should
carpool as much as possible. Also if you can ride a bike or walk, you should do so.
Everyone also needs to start recycling or put litter in its place, a trash can is
better than nothing. If everyone would give a little to the community then we may help the
problem of irresponsibility and negligence. We may not necessarily solve the problem, but
at least we would be making a helpful start. People need to realize that the world is an
ever changing experience, and we need to deal with what it dishes out, even if it does not
go in our favor. We need to cease making ridiculous lawsuits, and start helping each other
by building our personal bonds with each other and our whole community. With everyone's
effort his world could, 'and maybe someday will,' be a better place to live."
Christopher Parchert, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"A quote from Sydney J. Harris reads, 'We have not passed the subtle line from
childhood into adulthood until we move from passive voice to the active voice -- that is,
until we stop saying, 'It got lost' and say, 'I lost it.'' There are too many people in
this world who are in the passive voice and do not stand up for what they truly believe
in. Also, by taking the active voice we become responsible for our own actions, and stop
trying to pass the blame on to other people. The passive voice if for all the people who
are so afraid to make a mistake, that they are completely influenced by other people who
are so afraid to make a mistake, that they are completely influenced by other people's
decisions, and just follow the crowd…taking responsibility for our own actions might
be a good way to start turning the world around. ...People can read or write as much as
they want to on responsibility, but to truly change, it has to come from within. So until
people decide for themselves to try and make that change, irresponsibility will be a part
of everyday life."
Mark Freyermuth, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Nowadays lawsuits have become more prevalent than common decency. Business owners
will shovel their sidewalk, not because it is the right thing to do, but because they are
afraid of what will happen if someone slips and falls, Until we realized that we are the
ones at fault, we will never be able to consciously see both the problem and the solution.
Christopher Frere, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"I think if a person would do one hour of charity work a week, we as a community
could improve our areas and districts. helping and doing charity does not have to be
anything drastic, it can be something as little as helping a neighbor."
Jason Schluenz, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"In another recent case a landlord was killed. The people now in jail for that
murder say he was blackmailing them and it wasn't their fault he was killed. This
statement is untrue because a person must take responsibility for his/her own
actions."
Joseph W. Dziadyk, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"I have found that it is often easier to admit to doing something and face the
consequences that it is to hide."
David Wait, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The adult generation of America needs to take responsibility more seriously
because we need to teach the next generation by example. It is hypocritical for us to tell
the youth of today to adhere to a set of standards that we do not live by ourselves."
Josh Dunnett, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"The desecration of human life does not hurt society as much as the desecration of
morality because without morality, that life did not mean much anyway. Without a moral
code, without ethics and without taking responsibility for our actions, we have destroyed
more than we can ever build."
Christopher Frere, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
"Why has our society lost its values? I will tell you why. The majority of our so
called 'adults' do not care, so the children will not either...It is like a rusting chain
and soon that entire chain will be ruined if someone does not do something about it."
Elisa Tomich, Rockridge High School, Taylor Ridge, Illinois