1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Responsibility, Who Has It and Who Doesn't and What That
Means For The Nation
Rock Hill High School, Ironton, Ohio
Teacher: Delma McComis
1st Michelle Gannon 
2nd Michael Bevins 
3rd Angie
Gillispie
"I feel that people who stop and help fix a flat tire or fix a car
that has quit running show a great deal of responsibility. They stop for no reason and
expecting no pay and help someone in need."
Kevin Cade, Rock Hill High School, Ironton, Ohio
"In Washington, D.C. a ten year old boy received more than fifteen million
dollars. He was hurt by falling on a asphalt playground. The management, the
manufacturer of the playground equipment, and the playground designers were all sued....
Another case of irresponsible behavior also took place in Washington, D.C. A four year old
girl was scalded by hot water. The girl's mother left the room and her sister turned
on the hot water. The water heater manufacturer, the thermostat manufacturer, the
building's owner, the property manager, a plumbing company, and the Washington Gas
Company, were all sued by her family."
Amber L. Gillenwater, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio
"A poll was taken (by this student) among people from fifty years of
age and up to see if responsibility was important in ones life. They all
replied that responsibility is important in ones own life and that without responsibility
they could no longer be called an adult. They said that responsibility is one
of the many tings which turns a young person into an adult. The very same poll was taken
at a middle school in Ironton, Ohio. The very same question was asked. Less
than half the class said it was 'sort of important.' The other half either said that they
didn't care about responsibility or that they didn't even know what it was.
This poll was taken to show that responsibility is learned as you get older in life and
it's not just something a person is born with."
Michael Bevins, Rock HIll Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio
"As long as we believe that because people accept something it is
morally correct, or that because most people believe something means it is right, then we
are denying ourselves liberty. We are simply fooling ourselves into a false sense of
reality, and there can be no liberty when were lying to ourselves."
Amber L. Gillenwater, Rock HIll High School, Ironton, Ohio