1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Doesn't Anyone Care About The Children?

Rock Hill High School, Ironton, Ohio

Teacher: Delma McComis

1st Michelle Gannon  2nd Michael Bevins   3rd Angie Gillispie

"According to a poll conducted by this student, over a wide span of ages, it was found that the older people would not commit crimes or fraud because it was 'wrong' or 'morally incorrect'. Those of the younger generation stated that 'I would have to think about it' and 'it depends on the consequences'. This in itself illustrates the point that responsible behavior resulting from good morals has somehow declined."
Michelle R. Gannon, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

 "Last week during Sunday School service, people came to the door and asked for money. They said they were from Hayard,Kentucky. They said they had run out of gas and wanted money to get home. The church gave them money, and three days later they were arrested in Ashland, Kentucky for drug trafficking. These people have no responsibility for anything; they respect no one."
Jeremy Hall, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"Children look at their parents as role models so therefore our parents have to show us responsibility before we can learn it."
Angie Gillispie, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"In a survey conducted by myself I found that 8 out of 10 high school students ages 15 to 18 who answered the survey have had pre-marital sex. Many are not with the same partner now. Five out of 8 teenagers have had more than one partner and 2 out of the 8 have had many partners (more than 3). Still 4 out of 8 do not use any means of birth control or protection. One out of the 8 use only birth control pills and condoms and 1 out of the 8 use only use condoms. These teenagers are not taking into consideration the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or even worse the fatal HIV virus and then aids followed by death."
Angie Gillispie, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"A suit was filed in Charleston, West Virginia by a State Supreme Court Justice, named Richard Neely. Mr. Neely stated he suffered severe emotional distress because his car had [received] $1,200 worth of damages. He is now seeking $43,000 in return for his emotional distress. If people in high ranking positions set this kind of example, then how are we going to improve America's irresponsibility?"
Jason Cade, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

 "Our teachers teach us how to be responsible by assigning work to be finished by a certain day and if it is not completed then we know that we will have to face the consequences."
Angie Gillispie, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"In Texas Adopt a School programs furnish Mexican pupils and teachers with critical supplies, personal attention and raise money for new schools."
Jennifer Waddell, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"There was a kid by the name of Jimmy T. who lived in Chicago and wasÐin a gangÐat the age of fourteen. His parents didn't know where he was most of the time and really didn't care. Since Jimmy had no parents to turn to for help, at the age of sixteen he was pressured into a drive-by shooting. He killed two and wounded three. After Jimmy had done the shooting he became so afraid and was so scared that he just shot himself to try to end the misery."
Michael Bevins, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

"A suit was filed in Charleston, West Virginia by a State Supreme Court Justice, named Richard Neely. Mr. Neely stated he suffered severe emotional distress because his car had [received] $1,200 worth of damages. He is now seeking $43,000 in return for his emotional distress. If people in high ranking positions set this kind of example, then how are we going to improve America's irresponsibility?"
Jason Cade, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio"

"What about the Senator who, while intoxicated and entertaining an evening companion, stripped naked and swam in a public fountain?...Not only does this incident reflect badly on the person, it reflects on the entire Congress. This Senator should be more of a role model for others. He was elected to a position that supposedly should be respected. Such irresponsibility only diminishes the public's view of our nation's leaders."
Michelle R. Gannon, Rock Hill High School, Ironton, Ohio

"Even though they [teachers] get paid, they don't get paid enough for the job they do. They show great responsibility by doing their job well for very little pay."
Kevin Cade, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio

 "Within a school environment, children can be exposed to 'value education'. This is an idea that schools can reinforce the importance of such virtues as honesty and being trustworthy. The result of such a program would be that children will acquire information that will help them make responsible decisions, therefore they will become better citizens in their own communities."
Michelle R. Gannon, Rock Hill Senior High, Ironton, Ohio

 "I found the solution in an essay by Robert Fulgrum. Here is the solution. 'Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your on mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup---they all die. So do we. And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned---the biggest word of all LOOK. These are the steps to solving any problem.' Put simply, my solution is two steps. Make everyone read All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. Then make them live by it."
Amber L. Gillenwater, Rock Hill Senior High School, Ironton, Ohio" 

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